The English Ordinal of 1550 served as the foundational document for Anglican theologians in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries as they developed an increasingly complex defence of the religious settlement in England. The revision made in 1662 reinforced the necessity for bishops to ordain lay clergy and confirmed the Church of England's commitment to maintaining the traditional threefold ministry. This development culminated in a long and tumultuous period of religious controversy and conflict in England. The writings of Thomas Cranmer, Richard Hooker, and Jeremy Taylor played a crucial role in shaping a more coherent doctrine of ordination. This work examines their contributions and considers the lasting impact of their teachings on the doctrine, including the text of the first Anglican Ordinal.