The Prebendaries' Plot was an attempt during the English Reformation by religious conservatives to oust Thomas Cranmer from office as Archbishop of Canterbury.
The hope was that this would stop further religious reforms in Kent and end Protestant influence at the royal court of Henry VIII.
Others involved were two holders of the new cathedral office of "six preacher" (created in 1541), along with various local non-cathedral priests and Kentish gentlemen (such as Thomas Moyle, Edward Thwaites and Cyriac Pettit).
Simultaneous agitation at the court in Windsor and the conspiracy in general were led covertly by Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester.
Henry VIII's chaplain Richard Cox was charged with investigating and suppressing it, and his success (240 priests and 60 laypeople of both sexes were accused of involvement) led to his being made Cranmer's chancellor (and later, under Elizabeth, bishop of Ely).