Series 1 Episode 2 - Three English Bibles

The Rise of the Protestants

The Artwork is: The cover page of the Coverdale Bible, which was first printed in 1535.

The Music is: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God'; Composer: Martin Luther.

In this episode, we discuss the life and death of Thomas More, author, statesman, and noted Renaissance humanist.

We then focus on Myles Coverdale, an important English Bible translator and reformer.

Working alone, Coverdale carried out his mission independently, successfully creating the first fully printed English Bible, commonly known as The Coverdale Bible.

Our story then leads us to Thomas Cranmer, who was born in Nottinghamshire to a family with connections to the local gentry.

Printed in Antwerp in 1537, the Matthew Bible was an early compilation of English translations of the Bible's books.

The Great Bible of 1539 was the first edition of the Bible in English, authorised by King Henry VIII of England to be read aloud in the church services of England.
Three key English Bibles - the Great Bible published in 1539, the Bishops' Bible in 1568, and the King James Bible in 1611 - were all significantly influenced by Tyndale's biblical translations.
His work profoundly influenced later English translations and played a crucial role in the development and widespread use of the English language.