The Great Bible

The Great Bible, published in 1539, was one of the first English translations of the Christian Bible authorized for public reading in churches. It was commissioned by King Henry VIII and compiled primarily from William Tyndale’s work, making scripture accessible to English-speaking people for the first time. The edition was large and illustrated, designed for use in church services. Its significance lies in helping spread biblical knowledge among laypeople and shaping subsequent English translations, including the King James Version. Overall, the Great Bible played a key role in making the Bible more accessible and fostering religious reform in England.