Abstract

Vernacular translations of the scripture had never been banned by the church, although unauthorised English versions had been forbidden by the Constitutions of Oxford (1408). The Great Bible (1539) had been authorised by Henry VIII and continued to be re-issued until 1553.

Neither Mary nor Stephen Gardiner, nor Reginald Pole were opposed to vernacular bibles in principle, and Pole made several general statements in their favour. In spite of vigorous representations from conservative clergy, particularly John Standish, the Great Bible was neither condemned nor withdrawn during Mary's reign, although no new editions were published. Pole intended a new translation, but it was never started. The Marian church was deeply divided on the issues, and the only new version issued during the reign was the protestant Geneva Bible (New Testament, 1557).