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Great Bible (Cranmer/Coverdale)

Type Object Region England Time 1539

The 1539 Great Bible was England's first large royal-authorised public English Bible, based mainly on Miles Coverdale's translation and promoted by T…

Timeline

  1. 1538–1539London · EnglandPromoted by Cranmer and Cromwell, this revision used Coverdale's 1535 translation as its main base text, combining New Testament traditions such as Tyndale's, in preparation for a large-scale royally authorised printing.
  2. 1539London (printing shops of Edward Whitchurch and others) · EnglandThe first edition of the Great Bible was issued in large folio format, with a preface by Cranmer, and accompanied by royal instructions requiring parish churches to purchase and place it, making the English Bible a readable text for public worship.

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