Thomas Cranmer is a Cambridge scholar who comes to court to work for since he, like her, is interested in the work of and . Anne believes that Cranmer’s learning might help to legitimize ’s struggle against the Catholic Church. A seemingly serious man, Cranmer seems to have a penchant for love and marriage even though he is a priest who is supposed to be celibate. He comes to consider his special friend and asks for his help when he needs to hide his pregnant wife, , from Henry and the court. When , the old Archbishop of Canterbury, passes away, Cromwell suggests that Cranmer be the new archbishop and Henry supports this idea. As the new archbishop, Cranmer has the power to annul Henry’s marriage to and recognize Henry’s marriage to Anne.