SCENE SUMMARY AND NOTES

ACT V, SCENE III

Summary

The council is in session with the Lord Chancellor presiding over it. Cranmer is summoned inside and informed that he has been changed with spreading heresies in the kingdom. Since these may prove dangerous Gardiner proposes swift and strong action to deal with the situation. Cranmer denies the accusations and requests to be brought face to face with his accusers. His request is denied, followed by a heated argument between Gardiner and Cromwell with the former accusing the latter of being in favor of the new sect espoused by Cranmer. The chancellor brings the meeting to order and it is decided that Cranmer be confined to the Tower.

Cranmer pleads with them to reconsider but it is to no avail. Finally he brings out the KingÂ’s ring and asks to be judged by the King himself. The counselors recognize the ring as indeed being the kings and regret bringing Cranmer to trial, for now they fear the KingÂ’s displeasure.

The King enters and Gardiner tries to placate the angry monarch but without success. He expresses his displeasure at their harsh treatment of one of their fellow counselors. He then praises Cranmer and commend them all to befriend him. When this is done, the King request Cranmer to baptize his daughter and to be one of her god parents.

Notes

The purpose of the council meeting is to try Cranmer for spreading "heresies." The reference is to the Protestant ideas and sentiments that Cranmer upheld. Ostensibly and formally he was a catholic priest but his true loyalty by with the Protestants. He used his position to spread these ideas to the public. This earned him the enmity of many powerful individuals including those in the council.

Gardiner is one off his mot strongest opponents. GardinerÂ’s antagonism springs from numerous evasions. Gardiner is a loyal Catholic Churchman, he is also one of CranmerÂ’s old enemies. Moreover, CranmerÂ’s favored position with the King rankles with Gardiner. There is a mention of "a general taint ... The upper Germany." The allusion is to the heresy of Thomas Minzes, which sprang up in Saxony in 1521 and 1522 and led the peasants to revolt against the Catholic Church. The council members fear a similar disturbance in Britain and hence are determined to stop Cranmer before such a crisis actually materializes.

GardinerÂ’s manner is impatient and belligerent in direct contrast with quiet appealing of CranmerÂ’s speech. It is abundantly clear that Gardiner wants to use this opportunity to remove Cranmer completely from the political scene. Cranmer realizes this and his words are loaded with irony when he addresses the former as "my good friend." Cranmer does not lose his calm in the face of the councilÂ’s determination to send him to the tower because being in the possession of the KingÂ’s ring protects him.

Cromwell tries to shield Cranmer from GardinerÂ’s harsh manner and this results in an altercation between the two men. Gardiner is determined to neutralize every man supporting the Protestant cause and he seizes this opportunity to voice his suspicion that Cromwell is in league with Cranmer. This shows the extent to which the ongoing religious upheavals have affected the country. The disturbance has permeated to every level of life, including the political one, resulting in animosity and alienation among people.

The scene reaches its climax when Cranmer produceÂ’s the KingÂ’s personal ring. When the counselors see it they regret the curse of action theyÂ’ve taken and realize that they have gambled and lost.

They fear the KingÂ’s displeasure. The KingÂ’s appearance leads to the resolution of the situation. Although he is outraged at what has occurred he desires to see his council united. The tension in the scene is further lightened when he brings up the matter of his daughterÂ’s baptism. The King has calmed down and the counselors realize that the situation has been saved.

The tension dissolves completely with the King jokingly ascribing CranmerÂ’s reluctance to be the newborn princessÂ’ godparent, to thrift rather than modesty. It refers to the custom of giving silver to godchildren. Harmony is restored when Gardiner embraces Cranmer, at the KingÂ’s gentle prodding, saying he does so with a "true heart and brother love". The scene brings out the authority the King exercises over the council and also his fierce loyalty to those who serve him well.

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