The Life and Legacy of William Tyndale

Unlocking the Bible

Click here to watch a

podcast on his life

‍ ‍Part 1

‍ ‍ Part 2

Discover how, 500 years ago, translating the Bible into English was a dangerous crime and that one man risked everything to change history.

To see when and where you can see an exhibition on this, click here

William Tyndale (c. 1494–1536) was a scholar, linguist, and pioneer whose life’s mission was to give everyday people access to the Bible in their own language: English. At a time when translating Scripture into English was punishable by death, Tyndale defied the religious authorities of his day to translate the New Testament and parts of the Old Testament directly from the original Greek and Hebrew.

Driven into exile in continental Europe, he translated and printed thousands of copies, smuggling them back to England hidden in bales of cloth and barrels of wine. Tyndale was a linguistic genius who coined idioms that we still use today, such as “the salt of the earth”, “let there be light” and “fight the good fight”. His translation formed the bedrock of the King James Bible of 1611. Betrayed and imprisoned in 1535, he was strangled and then burned at the stake in 1536. Just before he died, he was heard to cry out, “Lord! Open the King of England’s eyes!” Within years, King Henry VIII authorised English Bibles in every parish church in the land.

Even royalty had their copies of Tyndale’s New Testament, including Henry VIII’s wife, Anne Boleyn. Queen Anne Boleyn’s personal copy of Tyndale’s New Testament has pride of place in the nation’s Library, and its text shaped the first Elizabethan Age.

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Visit the “Unlocking the Bible” display at:

Girlguiding Hall, Bromsgrove, B61 7JZ - 24th – 29th Oct

Parkside Hall, Bromsgrove, B61 8DA - 30th Oct -1st Nov

Discover this extraordinary history for yourself. Come along to a special interactive display detailing Tyndale’s life and work.

 

Fun children’s activities

A fantastic event for all ages, with free entry and interactive children’s activities.

  • Tudor costumes to dress up in

  • Mini printing press, craft and others

  • History hunt with prizes

  • Story time sessions

  • History dip: find hidden gifts

Evening talks on William Tyndale’s life and work

Join us at Girlguiding Hall (B61 7JZ) for two evening talks exploring the life, work and impact of William Tyndale.

William Tyndale’s New Testament was more than ink on a page. It was dynamite under the foundations of the medieval church. What began as a spark in Tyndale’s study erupted into a fire no power could quench.

Saturday, 24th October at 7:30 PM

Tuesday, 27th October at 7:30 PM

Admission is completely FREE.

 

Both talks will be streamed LIVE ONLINE for those who cannot attend in person. Also be available afterwards as a podcast.

The Bible Exhibition 

Come along to a special exhibition featuring rare and historic Bibles – an extensive display detailing the history, origins and message of the Bible.

However you look at it, the Bible is an extraordinary book. Whether or not you believe that it is the Word of God, this book is

unique. No other book can claim the following:

  • Consists of 66 individual books.

  • Written by 40 independent writers, in 20 different occupations,

    in 10 different countries, over a period of 1,600 years.

  • A cast of 2,930 characters, in 1,551 places.

  • Many different subjects in all literary forms: poetry, prose, prophecy etc.

The exceptional nature of this book has always been recognised –

so much so that some, like William Tyndale, were willing to give up their

lives so that others could read the Bible for themselves.

The Bible Exhibition will attempt to show you this book’s place in history

and how it has survived; how it accurately describes past events, and

future events; and what this unique book’s message is for today.

Alongside this exhibition there will also be the William Tyndale display: “Unlocking the Bible”

Fun children’s activities at Parkside Hall

An event for all the family – with free activities for all ages.

  • Tudor costumes to dress up in.

  •      Mini printing press craft and much more.

  •      History hunt with prizes

  •     Story time sessions

Market stall

If you cannot make any of the events, you can still visit our stall on Bromsgrove High Street Market days (24th, 27th, 30th, 31st October). Find us near CEX and Timpsons.

Pick up a FREE BIBLE or an information booklet on one of many Bible-related topics.

Pictures are GNU Free Documentation Licence and Creative Commons Attribution - Share Alike 2.0