The Apostolic Succession of the Bishops of the C of E according to the Roman Catholic POV, did not end abruptly, but rather slowly faded with Henry VIII's successors, had a major comeback with Mary Tudor, and then died out for good.
Many Catholic clergy took the King's Oath, a good number did not. Fascinating chapter in the History of Religion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Vicar_of_Bray_%28song%29#Text_and_melody
Satirical perhaps, but an accurate reflection of the way many "practical" churchmen handled the shifting religious tides and fashions!
“Oddly enough, Thomas Cranmer, author of The Book of Common Prayer, was named Archbishop of Canterbury by the Pope.”
False. He was named Archbishop of Canterbury by Henry VIII October 1st 1532.
He got his Masters in Arts, and was kicked out of Jesus College for marrying. After his wife died, he was reinstated and ordained in 1520.
He got his doctorate in 1526. The pope never elevated him from the priesthood to the episcopy.