Tyndale New Testament

Creator

Files

Document Type

Photographic reproduction

Keywords

Bible, New Testament, Tyndale

Brief Description

This is a color photographic reproduction of a copy of Peter Schoeffer’s 1526 printing held in the collection of the British Library.

Context

William Tyndale holds the distinction of being the first man to print the New Testament in the English Language. Early in the 16th century, Tyndale was forced to flee England because of the prohibition of printing the Bible in the common language of the people. The Catholic Church and the Church of England wanted to control access to the Scriptures and its interpretation. While in exile in Europe, Tyndale printed the first English language New Testament in 1525. Thousands were smuggled back into England, made more possible because of the small octavo format. Many of the copies were confiscated and burned, and those who possessed them risked death by burning at the stake. Tyndale was eventually captured in Belgium, and in 1536 was strangled and burned at the stake. His translation work and printing of Bibles opened the floodgates of new versions, and most of the English translation work in the remainder of the 16th and early 17th centuries was based largely on Tyndale's work. Today, there are only two known copies left of Tyndale's 1525 first edition. Any copies printed prior to 1570 are extremely rare.

Published in 2008 by the British Library, this Tyndale New Testament is a color photographic reproduction of one of only two complete copies of the 1526 first edition of Tyndale’s English language New Testament held in the collections of the British Library. This reproduction is in the actual size of the original, made to be carried in the pocket and easily hidden when used in places where this New Testament was illegal.

Language

English

Printer of the Original

Peter Schoeffer

Publication Date of the Original

1526

Publisher of the Reproduction

The British Library; Hendrickson

City

London; Peabody, MA

Date

2008