THE GREAT BIBLE (MATTHEW PARKER EDITION), 1566

The Last Edition of Henry VIII's Great Bible Tradition

Printed in London by Richard Jugge, Printer to Queen Elizabeth I, 1566

Large folio. Modern full calf binding. Text substantially original throughout with several early leaves and a small number of later leaves supplied in facsimile as detailed below.

Description

A substantial and highly desirable example of the 1566 Great Bible, the final edition of the famous English Bible first authorized during the reign of King Henry VIII. Printed by Richard Jugge under the supervision of Archbishop Matthew Parker, this edition represents the culmination of the Great Bible tradition and stands among the most important monuments of the English Reformation.

The Great Bible occupies a pivotal place in English history as the first English Bible authorized for public use in the churches of England. Beginning in 1539, copies were chained in parish churches across the kingdom so that ordinary people could hear and read Scripture in their own language. Its influence extended through the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I, helping shape both English religion and the English language.

The present copy survives as a remarkably complete example with the biblical text itself substantially original throughout the Old Testament, Apocrypha, and New Testament. While several preliminary and terminal leaves have been supplied in facsimile, the overwhelming majority of the text remains original sixteenth-century printing. The volume retains numerous woodcut illustrations, divisional title pages, and the handsome blackletter typography characteristic of Tudor Bible printing.

The Bible has been preserved in a modern full calf binding designed to protect the text block and provide stability for continued scholarly and collector use.

Historical Significance

Henry VIII and the Great Bible

The Great Bible owes its existence to the religious revolution initiated by King Henry VIII. Following his break with Rome and the establishment of the Church of England, Henry authorized the production of an English Bible for use throughout his realm.

In 1539 the first Great Bible was published under the direction of Thomas Cromwell and with the support of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. It was the first English Bible officially sanctioned by the Crown and was ordered to be placed in every parish church in England.

For the first time, ordinary English men and women could hear and read the Scriptures in their own language without relying exclusively upon Latin texts. The Great Bible became one of the defining publications of the English Reformation and laid the foundation for later translations including the Bishops' Bible and ultimately the King James Bible of 1611.

Although Henry VIII himself remained doctrinally conservative in many respects, his authorization of the Great Bible permanently transformed religious life in England.

Archbishop Matthew Parker

The 1566 edition was produced under the supervision of Matthew Parker, Archbishop of Canterbury under Queen Elizabeth I.

Parker was one of the most influential churchmen of the Elizabethan settlement and played a central role in preserving England's religious and historical heritage. His efforts to improve biblical scholarship eventually led to the production of the Bishops' Bible in 1568.

The present edition is therefore historically important as the final flowering of the Great Bible tradition before its replacement by newer official translations.

Condition

The volume is substantially complete and retains the great majority of its original sixteenth-century leaves.

Supplied in Facsimile

• Old Testament title page
• Following 13 preliminary leaves
• Civ–Cv
• Third Part title leaf
• New Testament Ooviii
• Final leaves including Mmmi and final page

Repairs

• Bbiii repaired with facsimile
• Bbiiii first complete original leaf with small repair
• Occasional minor conservation and repairs as expected in a large folio Bible of this age

Present

• Old Testament substantially complete and original
• Second Part complete through Rvi
• Third Part substantially complete and original
• Apocrypha present
• New Testament substantially complete and original
• Numerous original woodcuts and decorative elements retained

Binding

Modern full calf binding, professionally executed, preserving and stabilizing the text block.

Bibliographical Summary

Title: The Byble in Englishe of the Largest and Greatest Volume

Printer: Richard Jugge

Place: London

Date: 1566

Format: Large Folio

Language: English

Contents:

• Old Testament
• Historical Books
• Apocrypha
• New Testament