Bishops Bible 1585

5C Printed in London under Queen Elizabeth I, 1585.

Notes

The Bishops’ Bible was an English translation of the Bible published in 1585, commissioned by the Church of England under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The purpose was to create a version of the Bible that would be more aligned with the teachings of the Church of England and to correct perceived errors in the earlier Geneva Bible, which was favored by Puritans. The translation was primarily done by a group of bishops and scholars, and it became the official version for use in churches.

While the Bishops’ Bible was never as widely popular as the King James Version (which followed in 1611), it was an important step in the development of English biblical translations. It was heavily used in church services and influenced later translations, particularly the King James Bible, which drew on its phrasing and structure. The 1585 edition, specifically, helped standardize the language and made the Bible more accessible to English-speaking Christians.

Description

Caramel leather boards with embossed detailing on boards and spine. Six raised bands on the spine with embossed lettering. Slight tearing to the upper and lower spine with rubbing down of the leather along the edges and raised bands. Browning to interior pages, bookworm holes on several leaves. Scuffing along the boards. Fine condition overall.