{"id":1237,"date":"2025-07-04T12:08:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T11:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.hertford.ox.ac.uk\/library-archives\/?p=1237"},"modified":"2025-10-29T16:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T16:00:00","slug":"tyndale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.hertford.ox.ac.uk\/library-archives\/tyndale\/","title":{"rendered":"Tyndale at Hertford"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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2025 marks the 500th anniversary of translation of the New Testament by Hertford alumnus William Tyndale. Hertford MSt English (2025) student Kelli Skinner Eyerly curated a display of Hertford rare books to commemorate this important event. The display was held in person next to the Tyndale window in Hertford Chapel in May 2025 and is shared here in digital form.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n

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Foxe’s Book of Martyrs and Tyndale window in Hertford Chapel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Tyndale and the Bible<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

William Tyndale (c.1494-1536) studied at Magdalen Hall, Hertford College’s predecessor, in the 1510s. Tyndale\u2019s Bible was the first English translation based on Hebrew and Greek texts, rather than the Latin Vulgate. Initially working as a tutor, preacher and scholar in Gloucestershire and London, he moved to Europe in the 1520s to work on his biblical translations. He was arrested in Antwerp in 1535, found guilty of heresy, and executed near Brussels in 1536.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From left to right: Foxe’s Acts & Monuments, early 17th century Bible, 1551 Bible,The Whole Duty of Man, The Plain Man’s Pathway and Tyndale’s Obedience<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tyndale’s Obedience<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
William Tyndale, The Obedyence of a Chrysten Man<\/em> (London, 1561)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The Obedience <\/em>is a seminal work by Tyndale, first published in 1528. Tyndale affirms the supremacy and authority of the Bible over that of the Catholic Church and advocates for access to the scriptures in the vernacular. The book supposedly influenced Henry VIII\u2019s decision to declare the Act of Supremacy in 1534, making him the Supreme Head of the Church of England. Anne Boleyn owned a copy and encouraged the king to read it, leading him to exclaim \u2018this book is for me and all kings to read\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n