Book of Common Prayer (1552)

The Book of Common Prayer (1552) represents the second major revision of the liturgical texts of the Church of England during the reign of King Edward VI. Following the initial Book of Common Prayer of 1549, which was seen by some as too conservative and retaining too many elements of Catholic tradition, the 1552 version pushed further towards Protestant theological principles. It was largely the work of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer and reflected the influence of continental reformers like Martin Bucer and Peter Martyr Vermigli.

Key changes from the 1549 Prayer Book included alterations to the Communion service, replacing the altar with a communion table, removing references to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and emphasizing that communion was a memorial of Christ's sacrifice rather than a re-enactment. The words used during the administration of the bread and wine were significantly changed to reflect this understanding. The 1552 Prayer Book also eliminated prayers for the dead and revised the baptismal rite, simplifying some ceremonies and reducing the emphasis on exorcism. Vestments were also simplified.

The 1552 Book of Common Prayer became the official liturgy of the Church of England in November 1552. However, its use was short-lived. With the death of Edward VI in 1553 and the accession of the Roman Catholic Queen Mary I, the Prayer Book was suppressed and Catholic practices were restored.

Upon the accession of Queen Elizabeth I in 1558, a revised version of the Book of Common Prayer was introduced in 1559. This 1559 version drew heavily from the 1552 Prayer Book but incorporated some elements from the 1549 version to appease more conservative members of the church. The 1552 book, therefore, served as a crucial foundation for subsequent versions of the Book of Common Prayer and shaped the theological and liturgical identity of the Church of England. Its theological distinctiveness lies in its more explicitly Reformed understanding of the sacraments and its emphasis on Scripture as the primary source of authority.