P035 Taverner's Bible.

P035 Taverner’s Bible.

He retained many of the notes in Matthew’s Bible, and added some valuable original comments.

Under the patronage of Lord Cromwell, and dedicated to the king, three editions were sold in the first year of issue, 1539, and two editions of the Testament.

One of the Bibles was in folio and two in 4to.; one of the Testaments was 4to., and the other 12mo. In 1549 an edition was published in 12mo. in five volumes or parts, especially for the poor. The title of the first ’folio edition is as follows:— The Most | Sacred Bible, | Which is the holy scripture, con- | teyning the old and new testament, | translated, into English, and newly | recognized with great diligence | after most faythful exem- | plars. By Rychard | Tavener. | Prynted at London [etc.] M.D. XXXIX. The arrangement of the books is the same as in Matthew’s Bible.

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IX. THE GREAT BIBLE.

1. The Edition of 1539. Thomas Cromwell,(1) Born 1490, Died 1540. For principal contemporaries see under Coverdale, page 28.

Cromwell, though neither translator nor editor, deserves mention here because he was the prime mover in the preparation and publication of this work.

He was born at Putney about 1490, of humble parentage. He was employed by Cardinal Wolsey, and, after the fall of that official, Henry VIII. took him into his service, and from that time his promotion was rapid. In 1531 he was knighted; in 1532 appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer; 1534, principal Secretary of State; 1535, vicegerent; 1536, a baron, and Master of the Rolls; 1537, the garter and the Deanery of Wells were given to him; April 17, 1540, created Earl of Essex; July 28, of the same year, beheaded for treason.

------------ (FN1)Sometimes spelled Crumwell.

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