when he comes to the throne in 1603 King James inherits a divided world he had to
James inherits a divided world he had to
James inherits a divided world he had to bring together the Puritan and the royal
bring together the Puritan and the royal
bring together the Puritan and the royal the rich and the clear one way to do
the rich and the clear one way to do
the rich and the clear one way to do that was to make a new Bible this was a
that was to make a new Bible this was a
that was to make a new Bible this was a book which had to fuse something that
book which had to fuse something that
book which had to fuse something that feels cosmic in scale
feels cosmic in scale
feels cosmic in scale majestic in turn with a real intimacy I
think that the King James Bible is
think that the King James Bible is probably the greatest thing that England
probably the greatest thing that England
probably the greatest thing that England has ever made and that is my subject and
has ever made and that is my subject and
has ever made and that is my subject and how it emerged is is a mystery and a
how it emerged is is a mystery and a
how it emerged is is a mystery and a conundrum because first of all it begins
conundrum because first of all it begins
conundrum because first of all it begins with this appalling figure here those
with this appalling figure here those
with this appalling figure here those are surely the most magnificent trousers
are surely the most magnificent trousers
are surely the most magnificent trousers you’ve ever seen certainly the greatest
you’ve ever seen certainly the greatest
you’ve ever seen certainly the greatest garment ever worn by a member of the
garment ever worn by a member of the
garment ever worn by a member of the British royal family I can assure you of
British royal family I can assure you of
British royal family I can assure you of that and notice the pink stockings this
that and notice the pink stockings this
that and notice the pink stockings this is King James the first of England King
is King James the first of England King
is King James the first of England King James the sixth of Scotland often
James the sixth of Scotland often
James the sixth of Scotland often considered like that more as a piece of
considered like that more as a piece of
considered like that more as a piece of furniture than a man ridiculous
furniture than a man ridiculous
furniture than a man ridiculous drunk obsessed with young men totally
drunk obsessed with young men totally
drunk obsessed with young men totally incompetent as a king profligate unable
incompetent as a king profligate unable
incompetent as a king profligate unable to steer England towards any kind of
to steer England towards any kind of
to steer England towards any kind of happy condition how on earth could this
happy condition how on earth could this
happy condition how on earth could this man have sponsored this extraordinary
man have sponsored this extraordinary
man have sponsored this extraordinary book but he did and because the reason
book but he did and because the reason
book but he did and because the reason is that there’s much much more to James
is that there’s much much more to James
is that there’s much much more to James than that traditional sub cartoon of him
than that traditional sub cartoon of him
than that traditional sub cartoon of him might imply this is him when he was
might imply this is him when he was
might imply this is him when he was still King of Scotland a canny man very
still King of Scotland a canny man very
still King of Scotland a canny man very intelligent man the most intelligent
intelligent man the most intelligent
intelligent man the most intelligent person ever to have sat on the English
person ever to have sat on the English
person ever to have sat on the English throne not that there’s much competition
throne not that there’s much competition
throne not that there’s much competition Oh who’d had a terrible upbringing in
Oh who’d had a terrible upbringing in
Oh who’d had a terrible upbringing in Scotland he’d been kidnapped by a set of
Scotland he’d been kidnapped by a set of
Scotland he’d been kidnapped by a set of brutal lords he’d been lectured by
brutal lords he’d been lectured by
brutal lords he’d been lectured by ferocious Presbyterian ministers he’d
ferocious Presbyterian ministers he’d
ferocious Presbyterian ministers he’d been educated by the worst of them all
been educated by the worst of them all
been educated by the worst of them all george buchanan the most terrifying man
george buchanan the most terrifying man
george buchanan the most terrifying man in europe the tutor of Montaigne among
in europe the tutor of Montaigne among
in europe the tutor of Montaigne among others our great towering European
others our great towering European
others our great towering European intellectual and he had been king of a
intellectual and he had been king of a
intellectual and he had been king of a country where the crown was one of the
country where the crown was one of the
country where the crown was one of the weakest in Europe and in England it was
weakest in Europe and in England it was
weakest in Europe and in England it was very very different matter
very very different matter
very very different matter at the English Reformation in the 1530s
at the English Reformation in the 1530s
at the English Reformation in the 1530s Henry the Eighth had got rid of the Pope
Henry the Eighth had got rid of the Pope
Henry the Eighth had got rid of the Pope as many countries across Europe during
as many countries across Europe during
as many countries across Europe during the Reformation did but it’s often said
the Reformation did but it’s often said
the Reformation did but it’s often said that in the European Reformation Lady
that in the European Reformation Lady
that in the European Reformation Lady throned the Pope and put the Bible in
throned the Pope and put the Bible in
throned the Pope and put the Bible in its stead but Henry the Eighth didn’t do
its stead but Henry the Eighth didn’t do
its stead but Henry the Eighth didn’t do that he dethroned the Pope and put
that he dethroned the Pope and put
that he dethroned the Pope and put himself in his stead now this is the
himself in his stead now this is the
himself in his stead now this is the title page of the first official Bible
title page of the first official Bible
title page of the first official Bible in English the great Bible published in
in English the great Bible published in
in English the great Bible published in the late 1530s drawing largely on the
the late 1530s drawing largely on the
the late 1530s drawing largely on the work of William Tyndale and this is the
work of William Tyndale and this is the
work of William Tyndale and this is the title page of the actual copy that
title page of the actual copy that
title page of the actual copy that belonged to Thomas Cromwell who was
belonged to Thomas Cromwell who was
belonged to Thomas Cromwell who was Henry the eighth’s chief minister and
Henry the eighth’s chief minister and
Henry the eighth’s chief minister and organizer of the Reformation and you can
organizer of the Reformation and you can
organizer of the Reformation and you can see there Henry the eighth is at the top
see there Henry the eighth is at the top
see there Henry the eighth is at the top he’s handing out two books these are the
he’s handing out two books these are the
he’s handing out two books these are the Bible II they actually say on them
Bible II they actually say on them
Bible II they actually say on them verbum dei the Word of God to his
verbum dei the Word of God to his
verbum dei the Word of God to his bishops here down through the church to
bishops here down through the church to
bishops here down through the church to the people and to the laity to the to
the people and to the laity to the to
the people and to the laity to the to the great Lords the lesser Lords and the
the great Lords the lesser Lords and the
the great Lords the lesser Lords and the people down here so he is the fount of
people down here so he is the fount of
people down here so he is the fount of all goodness and all of these people
all goodness and all of these people
all goodness and all of these people down here they have little red cartoons
down here they have little red cartoons
down here they have little red cartoons coming out of their faces and every
coming out of their faces and every
coming out of their faces and every single one of them says long live the
single one of them says long live the
single one of them says long live the king
king
king God doesn’t get a mention of course this
God doesn’t get a mention of course this
God doesn’t get a mention of course this is exactly the kind of arrangement that
is exactly the kind of arrangement that
is exactly the kind of arrangement that James in Scotland would love was longing
James in Scotland would love was longing
James in Scotland would love was longing for a king who centrally instituted in
for a king who centrally instituted in
for a king who centrally instituted in the church and becoming the source of
the church and becoming the source of
the church and becoming the source of all meaning but the people of England
all meaning but the people of England
all meaning but the people of England were not entirely booked in to that
were not entirely booked in to that
were not entirely booked in to that royal supremacy picture they had
royal supremacy picture they had
royal supremacy picture they had absorbed much of the Reformation and
absorbed much of the Reformation and
absorbed much of the Reformation and loved the individual freedom it promised
loved the individual freedom it promised
loved the individual freedom it promised to them and so during Mary’s reign
to them and so during Mary’s reign
to them and so during Mary’s reign Mary’s Bloody Mary’s ferocious Catholic
Mary’s Bloody Mary’s ferocious Catholic
Mary’s Bloody Mary’s ferocious Catholic reign many English Protestants went
reign many English Protestants went
reign many English Protestants went abroad many to Geneva and a great new
abroad many to Geneva and a great new
abroad many to Geneva and a great new translation of the Bible was produced
translation of the Bible was produced
translation of the Bible was produced there in 1560 known as the Geneva Bible
there in 1560 known as the Geneva Bible
there in 1560 known as the Geneva Bible and this is a copy of it and it’s
and this is a copy of it and it’s
and this is a copy of it and it’s Shakespeare’s Bible it was the Bible the
Shakespeare’s Bible it was the Bible the
Shakespeare’s Bible it was the Bible the Pilgrim Fathers brought and it was
Pilgrim Fathers brought and it was
Pilgrim Fathers brought and it was really like a kind of family
really like a kind of family
really like a kind of family encyclopedia this is open to a page with
encyclopedia this is open to a page with
encyclopedia this is open to a page with the map of the Holy Land
the map of the Holy Land
the map of the Holy Land with a kind of key to the map on the
with a kind of key to the map on the
with a kind of key to the map on the bottom and then you can see along each
bottom and then you can see along each
bottom and then you can see along each border of the page of text on the right
border of the page of text on the right
border of the page of text on the right marginal notes now the marginal notes of
marginal notes now the marginal notes of
marginal notes now the marginal notes of the Geneva Bible were the thing that
the Geneva Bible were the thing that
the Geneva Bible were the thing that James hated more than anything else
James hated more than anything else
James hated more than anything else because they loathed royalty and in the
because they loathed royalty and in the
because they loathed royalty and in the notes and also in the text of the Old
notes and also in the text of the Old
notes and also in the text of the Old Testament the word King appears
Testament the word King appears
Testament the word King appears something like 400 times every single
something like 400 times every single
something like 400 times every single time it is translated as turrent
not entirely loved by the royal
not entirely loved by the royal establishment and so Elizabeth in the
establishment and so Elizabeth in the
establishment and so Elizabeth in the late 1560s produced another Bible known
late 1560s produced another Bible known
late 1560s produced another Bible known as the bishops Bible after the 14 or so
as the bishops Bible after the 14 or so
as the bishops Bible after the 14 or so no one’s quite sure about the number
no one’s quite sure about the number
no one’s quite sure about the number bishops who translated it and this is
bishops who translated it and this is
bishops who translated it and this is the title page of Elizabeth’s own copy
the title page of Elizabeth’s own copy
the title page of Elizabeth’s own copy of the bishops Bible and there she is
of the bishops Bible and there she is
of the bishops Bible and there she is there is actually a mention of God on
there is actually a mention of God on
there is actually a mention of God on this page down there you’re getting the
this page down there you’re getting the
this page down there you’re getting the picture I think but the trouble with the
picture I think but the trouble with the
picture I think but the trouble with the bishops Bible all very well as far as
bishops Bible all very well as far as
bishops Bible all very well as far as the royal establishment is concerned but
the royal establishment is concerned but
the royal establishment is concerned but it was an absolute dog of a translation
it was an absolute dog of a translation
it was an absolute dog of a translation the phrase that appears in the King
the phrase that appears in the King
the phrase that appears in the King James Bible as cast thy bread upon the
James Bible as cast thy bread upon the
James Bible as cast thy bread upon the waters is translated in the bishops
waters is translated in the bishops
waters is translated in the bishops Bible as lay thy bread upon wet faces
Bible as lay thy bread upon wet faces
Bible as lay thy bread upon wet faces which doesn’t have quite the same ring
which doesn’t have quite the same ring
which doesn’t have quite the same ring to it somehow so England is in this very
to it somehow so England is in this very
to it somehow so England is in this very very divided unresolved condition it is
very divided unresolved condition it is
very divided unresolved condition it is a very very polarized moment that you
a very very polarized moment that you
a very very polarized moment that you have this ferocious stripped Puritan
have this ferocious stripped Puritan
have this ferocious stripped Puritan strictness this is a chapel in
strictness this is a chapel in
strictness this is a chapel in Shropshire and it is an incredibly
Shropshire and it is an incredibly
Shropshire and it is an incredibly untouched rare survival of exactly what
untouched rare survival of exactly what
untouched rare survival of exactly what your Puritan church in the late 16th
your Puritan church in the late 16th
your Puritan church in the late 16th century would have been about you also
century would have been about you also
century would have been about you also have this kind of sense of no
have this kind of sense of no
have this kind of sense of no elaboration no sense of grandeur no
elaboration no sense of grandeur no
elaboration no sense of grandeur no sense of substance would be too much
sense of substance would be too much
sense of substance would be too much this is the marble hall in Hatfield the
this is the marble hall in Hatfield the
this is the marble hall in Hatfield the Great Palace which was built by James
Great Palace which was built by James
Great Palace which was built by James the first secretary Robert Cecil who
the first secretary Robert Cecil who
the first secretary Robert Cecil who I’ll talk about in a minute this room
I’ll talk about in a minute this room
I’ll talk about in a minute this room was completed in exactly the same month
was completed in exactly the same month
was completed in exactly the same month that the King James Bible was published
that the King James Bible was published
that the King James Bible was published this is the upper chamber there there is
this is the upper chamber there there is
this is the upper chamber there there is James himself presiding over the upper
James himself presiding over the upper
James himself presiding over the upper upper chamber and when he comes to the
upper chamber and when he comes to the
upper chamber and when he comes to the throne in 1603
throne in 1603
throne in 1603 inherits a divided world a world which
inherits a divided world a world which
inherits a divided world a world which has these deep divisions divisions which
has these deep divisions divisions which
has these deep divisions divisions which in the rest of Europe have produced
in the rest of Europe have produced
in the rest of Europe have produced vicious and destructive civil war and
vicious and destructive civil war and
vicious and destructive civil war and would go on to do that right on until
would go on to do that right on until
would go on to do that right on until 1630s he had to bring together the
1630s he had to bring together the
1630s he had to bring together the Puritan and the royal the rich and the
Puritan and the royal the rich and the
Puritan and the royal the rich and the clear and one way to do that was to make
clear and one way to do that was to make
clear and one way to do that was to make a new Bible it may seem strange I think
a new Bible it may seem strange I think
a new Bible it may seem strange I think for us to hear that now but religion in
for us to hear that now but religion in
for us to hear that now but religion in the early 17th century is really utterly
the early 17th century is really utterly
the early 17th century is really utterly inseparable from life that someone once
inseparable from life that someone once
inseparable from life that someone once said to me when I was describing the
said to me when I was describing the
said to me when I was describing the making the King James Bible to them an
making the King James Bible to them an
making the King James Bible to them an American said to me it reminds me of the
American said to me it reminds me of the
American said to me it reminds me of the Manhattan Project
Manhattan Project
Manhattan Project here is no mentally powerful and
here is no mentally powerful and
here is no mentally powerful and potentially explosive instrument which
potentially explosive instrument which
potentially explosive instrument which could be the great savior of the country
could be the great savior of the country
could be the great savior of the country and yet is extremely difficult to get
and yet is extremely difficult to get
and yet is extremely difficult to get right and the only way of getting it
right and the only way of getting it
right and the only way of getting it right is to summon as many of the great
right is to summon as many of the great
right is to summon as many of the great brains as you could and with very very
brains as you could and with very very
brains as you could and with very very careful and exact tinkering create an
careful and exact tinkering create an
careful and exact tinkering create an instrument which the country which the
instrument which the country which the
instrument which the country which the country could save the country and so
country could save the country and so
country could save the country and so the Puritans demanded of James that he
the Puritans demanded of James that he
the Puritans demanded of James that he should do something about the church and
should do something about the church and
should do something about the church and he summoned a great conference in
he summoned a great conference in
he summoned a great conference in Hampton Court in early in 1604 we’re
Hampton Court in early in 1604 we’re
Hampton Court in early in 1604 we’re leading Puritans rather moderate
leading Puritans rather moderate
leading Puritans rather moderate Puritans were invited and also many of
Puritans were invited and also many of
Puritans were invited and also many of the bishops and for three days they
the bishops and for three days they
the bishops and for three days they debated with each other and on the third
debated with each other and on the third
debated with each other and on the third day one of the Puritans said to James
day one of the Puritans said to James
day one of the Puritans said to James what we really need is a new Bible
what we really need is a new Bible
what we really need is a new Bible meaning of course that the bishops Bible
meaning of course that the bishops Bible
meaning of course that the bishops Bible the official the official Bible was
the official the official Bible was
the official the official Bible was inadequate and what we should have is
inadequate and what we should have is
inadequate and what we should have is the Geneva Bible the Bible they loved
the Geneva Bible the Bible they loved
the Geneva Bible the Bible they loved but James this very slick and instant
but James this very slick and instant
but James this very slick and instant clever immediate operator jumped on it
clever immediate operator jumped on it
clever immediate operator jumped on it and said are a new Bible what a good
and said are a new Bible what a good
and said are a new Bible what a good idea
idea
idea let’s have a new Bible and so this book
let’s have a new Bible and so this book
let’s have a new Bible and so this book emerges from just a little wrinkle in a
emerges from just a little wrinkle in a
emerges from just a little wrinkle in a conference in a almost as a debating
conference in a almost as a debating
conference in a almost as a debating point and James appointed this man
point and James appointed this man
point and James appointed this man Robert Cecil to be the organizer of it
Robert Cecil to be the organizer of it
Robert Cecil to be the organizer of it Robert Cecil his secretary of state
Robert Cecil his secretary of state
Robert Cecil his secretary of state easily the most corrupt man in England
easily the most corrupt man in England
easily the most corrupt man in England at the time England was at war with
at the time England was at war with
at the time England was at war with Spain when this portrait was painted he
Spain when this portrait was painted he
Spain when this portrait was painted he as the King Secretary was receiving a
as the King Secretary was receiving a
as the King Secretary was receiving a handsome handsome pension from the king
handsome handsome pension from the king
handsome handsome pension from the king of Spain
of Spain
of Spain every year but he was also a brilliant
every year but he was also a brilliant
every year but he was also a brilliant organizer and he got together the
organizer and he got together the
organizer and he got together the leading brains of the country 54 of them
leading brains of the country 54 of them
leading brains of the country 54 of them and organized them into six different
and organized them into six different
and organized them into six different committees or companies he was helped by
committees or companies he was helped by
committees or companies he was helped by his companion in arms this man who is
his companion in arms this man who is
his companion in arms this man who is then Bishop of London soon to become
then Bishop of London soon to become
then Bishop of London soon to become Archbishop of Canterbury Richard
Archbishop of Canterbury Richard
Archbishop of Canterbury Richard Bancroft a wild man from the north of
Bancroft a wild man from the north of
Bancroft a wild man from the north of England from Cumbria I don’t know if you
England from Cumbria I don’t know if you
England from Cumbria I don’t know if you know in Cumbria but they love a bit of
know in Cumbria but they love a bit of
know in Cumbria but they love a bit of wrestling in Cumbria and Richard
wrestling in Cumbria and Richard
wrestling in Cumbria and Richard Bancroft even as Archbishop of
Bancroft even as Archbishop of
Bancroft even as Archbishop of Canterbury used to wrestle people as
Canterbury used to wrestle people as
Canterbury used to wrestle people as they came in the front door of Lambeth
they came in the front door of Lambeth
they came in the front door of Lambeth Palace so you have this very good crew
Palace so you have this very good crew
Palace so you have this very good crew you know the tough man and the slick
you know the tough man and the slick
you know the tough man and the slick operator the persuader and the enforcer
operator the persuader and the enforcer
operator the persuader and the enforcer and they arranged the six committees in
and they arranged the six committees in
and they arranged the six committees in the most careful bureaucratic way and
the most careful bureaucratic way and
the most careful bureaucratic way and each of these committees given very
each of these committees given very
each of these committees given very precise 14 precise instructions written
precise 14 precise instructions written
precise 14 precise instructions written out by Bancroft each of the committee’s
out by Bancroft each of the committee’s
out by Bancroft each of the committee’s was to take its chunk and each member of
was to take its chunk and each member of
was to take its chunk and each member of the committee eight of the scholars and
the committee eight of the scholars and
the committee eight of the scholars and and the ninth as the director each of
and the ninth as the director each of
and the ninth as the director each of them were instructed to take away their
them were instructed to take away their
them were instructed to take away their whole chunk of the Bible the whole
whole chunk of the Bible the whole
whole chunk of the Bible the whole Pentateuch whatever it might be and to
Pentateuch whatever it might be and to
Pentateuch whatever it might be and to translate that on their own without
translate that on their own without
translate that on their own without conferring and so the idea was you had
conferring and so the idea was you had
conferring and so the idea was you had these
these
these fifty-four theoretically brilliant men
fifty-four theoretically brilliant men
fifty-four theoretically brilliant men very well-versed in ancient modern
very well-versed in ancient modern
very well-versed in ancient modern languages and and set them as a very
languages and and set them as a very
languages and and set them as a very wide mouth to the net so that as much as
wide mouth to the net so that as much as
wide mouth to the net so that as much as wide as possible a take could be made on
wide as possible a take could be made on
wide as possible a take could be made on what the first decade of 17th century
what the first decade of 17th century
what the first decade of 17th century thought the Bible should be then each of
thought the Bible should be then each of
thought the Bible should be then each of the members of the committee would come
the members of the committee would come
the members of the committee would come to a meeting of that committee and read
to a meeting of that committee and read
to a meeting of that committee and read out what he suggested and they would
out what he suggested and they would
out what he suggested and they would agree verse by verse on what their
agree verse by verse on what their
agree verse by verse on what their translation would be that committee
translation would be that committee
translation would be that committee would then submit their suggested
would then submit their suggested
would then submit their suggested translation to a revising committee in
translation to a revising committee in
translation to a revising committee in London which met in the stationers hall
London which met in the stationers hall
London which met in the stationers hall and at the station as hall there was no
and at the station as hall there was no
and at the station as hall there was no written text visible to the revising
written text visible to the revising
written text visible to the revising committee the committee sat round and
committee the committee sat round and
committee the committee sat round and one person had the suggested text on his
one person had the suggested text on his
one person had the suggested text on his knee and read it out aloud to the other
knee and read it out aloud to the other
knee and read it out aloud to the other members of the committee so that the
members of the committee so that the
members of the committee so that the only editorial instrument at work was
only editorial instrument at work was
only editorial instrument at work was the ear the ear presumably attached to a
the ear the ear presumably attached to a
the ear the ear presumably attached to a mind but the eye the reading I played no
mind but the eye the reading I played no
mind but the eye the reading I played no part in it because this was a Bible
part in it because this was a Bible
part in it because this was a Bible which was to be read out in churches as
which was to be read out in churches as
which was to be read out in churches as it says in the on the frontispiece of
it says in the on the frontispiece of
it says in the on the frontispiece of the Bible when it was printed and so if
the Bible when it was printed and so if
the Bible when it was printed and so if it didn’t appeal to the ear if it wasn’t
it didn’t appeal to the ear if it wasn’t
it didn’t appeal to the ear if it wasn’t intelligible to the ear and if it wasn’t
intelligible to the ear and if it wasn’t
intelligible to the ear and if it wasn’t memorable through the ear it wasn’t any
memorable through the ear it wasn’t any
memorable through the ear it wasn’t any good and so what you have you have this
good and so what you have you have this
good and so what you have you have this highly elaborate and sophisticated
highly elaborate and sophisticated
highly elaborate and sophisticated mechanism by which you get a big intake
mechanism by which you get a big intake
mechanism by which you get a big intake and then through filter after filter
and then through filter after filter
and then through filter after filter after filter you arrive at something
after filter you arrive at something
after filter you arrive at something which will work theologically orally for
which will work theologically orally for
which will work theologically orally for the ear and politically this was a book
the ear and politically this was a book
the ear and politically this was a book which had to both embody the majesty of
which had to both embody the majesty of
which had to both embody the majesty of of kingliness of godly kingliness
of kingliness of godly kingliness
of kingliness of godly kingliness and be totally accessible to the people
and be totally accessible to the people
and be totally accessible to the people of England this was the leading
of England this was the leading
of England this was the leading translator another superbly corrupt
translator another superbly corrupt
translator another superbly corrupt individual called Lancelot Andrews a
individual called Lancelot Andrews a
individual called Lancelot Andrews a sort of marvellous terrible man but also
sort of marvellous terrible man but also
sort of marvellous terrible man but also a great great writer I mean one of the
a great great writer I mean one of the
a great great writer I mean one of the great writers of the century this is
great writers of the century this is
great writers of the century this is George Abbott
George Abbott
George Abbott a translator later became Archbishop of
a translator later became Archbishop of
a translator later became Archbishop of Canterbury in fact the only Archbishop
Canterbury in fact the only Archbishop
Canterbury in fact the only Archbishop of Canterbury ever to have murdered a
of Canterbury ever to have murdered a
of Canterbury ever to have murdered a gamekeeper
gamekeeper
gamekeeper with a crossbow it was on a Thursday and
with a crossbow it was on a Thursday and
with a crossbow it was on a Thursday and as a penance every Thursday for the rest
as a penance every Thursday for the rest
as a penance every Thursday for the rest of his life he he restricted himself to
of his life he he restricted himself to
of his life he he restricted himself to a single meat pie one of the reasons I
a single meat pie one of the reasons I
a single meat pie one of the reasons I think that the King James Bible is a
think that the King James Bible is a
think that the King James Bible is a great book is that the people who did
great book is that the people who did
great book is that the people who did this who made these translations were
this who made these translations were
this who made these translations were not tucked away in the ivory tower of
not tucked away in the ivory tower of
not tucked away in the ivory tower of the University in their gravy necks and
the University in their gravy necks and
the University in their gravy necks and their gold rimmed spectacles they were
their gold rimmed spectacles they were
their gold rimmed spectacles they were deeply involved with the world politics
deeply involved with the world politics
deeply involved with the world politics commerce each other kind of a hubbub of
commerce each other kind of a hubbub of
commerce each other kind of a hubbub of interaction with the very very dynamic
interaction with the very very dynamic
interaction with the very very dynamic London of the of the 16 first decade of
London of the of the 16 first decade of
London of the of the 16 first decade of the seventeenth century and it’s it’s
the seventeenth century and it’s it’s
the seventeenth century and it’s it’s that real-world infusion which gives the
that real-world infusion which gives the
that real-world infusion which gives the book as much of it sort of bottom and
book as much of it sort of bottom and
book as much of it sort of bottom and it’s juice well I think that the social
it’s juice well I think that the social
it’s juice well I think that the social share verbal effusive mists and
share verbal effusive mists and
share verbal effusive mists and effervescence of this language is one of
effervescence of this language is one of
effervescence of this language is one of the things that the King James Bible is
the things that the King James Bible is
the things that the King James Bible is relying on but it has another element
relying on but it has another element
relying on but it has another element allied to that and it’s it’s connected
allied to that and it’s it’s connected
allied to that and it’s it’s connected to the thing I was talking about earlier
to the thing I was talking about earlier
to the thing I was talking about earlier about richness and clarity that you have
about richness and clarity that you have
about richness and clarity that you have this bubbling turbulent wordy froth
this bubbling turbulent wordy froth
this bubbling turbulent wordy froth coming up from below but applied to it
coming up from below but applied to it
coming up from below but applied to it is an extremely strict scholarly
is an extremely strict scholarly
is an extremely strict scholarly understanding and also religious
understanding and also religious
understanding and also religious understanding that the job of the
understanding that the job of the
understanding that the job of the translator of a Bible is not in any way
translator of a Bible is not in any way
translator of a Bible is not in any way to be an author they are not authors
to be an author they are not authors
to be an author they are not authors they are translators only by really
they are translators only by really
they are translators only by really submitting to that authority not in any
submitting to that authority not in any
submitting to that authority not in any way establishing your own authority
way establishing your own authority
way establishing your own authority alongside it or in connection to it only
alongside it or in connection to it only
alongside it or in connection to it only by being secretarial could you hope to
by being secretarial could you hope to
by being secretarial could you hope to get a translation good and so the
get a translation good and so the
get a translation good and so the English of the King James Bible is
English of the King James Bible is
English of the King James Bible is certainly not the English that was
certainly not the English that was
certainly not the English that was spoken or written in the first decade of
spoken or written in the first decade of
spoken or written in the first decade of the 17th century it is actually not a
the 17th century it is actually not a
the 17th century it is actually not a form of English that was ever spoken
form of English that was ever spoken
form of English that was ever spoken anywhere or written but it is actually
anywhere or written but it is actually
anywhere or written but it is actually an English pulled towards the condition
an English pulled towards the condition
an English pulled towards the condition of the Greek in the Hebrew it is more
of the Greek in the Hebrew it is more
of the Greek in the Hebrew it is more like a kind of middle-ground if you
like a kind of middle-ground if you
like a kind of middle-ground if you think of translation as having a source
think of translation as having a source
think of translation as having a source and a target source in Hebrew or Greek
and a target source in Hebrew or Greek
and a target source in Hebrew or Greek target in English the King James Bible
target in English the King James Bible
target in English the King James Bible exists somewhere like here that English
exists somewhere like here that English
exists somewhere like here that English is pulled over here and so the forms of
is pulled over here and so the forms of
is pulled over here and so the forms of the sentences of forms of the grammar
the sentences of forms of the grammar
the sentences of forms of the grammar the incredible repetitiveness for
the incredible repetitiveness for
the incredible repetitiveness for example of the Hebrew is of the Old
example of the Hebrew is of the Old
example of the Hebrew is of the Old Testament is English as Hebrew and I
Testament is English as Hebrew and I
Testament is English as Hebrew and I think we’ve all or many of us have come
think we’ve all or many of us have come
think we’ve all or many of us have come to think of that as the sort of language
to think of that as the sort of language
to think of that as the sort of language that God might speak and it’s it’s
that God might speak and it’s it’s
that God might speak and it’s it’s deliberately strange in my mind it is
deliberately strange in my mind it is
deliberately strange in my mind it is deliberately taken to a place where
deliberately taken to a place where
deliberately taken to a place where people wouldn’t naturally feel that was
people wouldn’t naturally feel that was
people wouldn’t naturally feel that was the sort of language which you or I
the sort of language which you or I
the sort of language which you or I might use to each other because that is
might use to each other because that is
might use to each other because that is not the subject of this book this book
not the subject of this book this book
not the subject of this book this book is about intense strangeness and I think
is about intense strangeness and I think
is about intense strangeness and I think there is a sort of very very conscious
there is a sort of very very conscious
there is a sort of very very conscious distancing from ordinariness so the King
distancing from ordinariness so the King
distancing from ordinariness so the King James Bible went through its processes
James Bible went through its processes
James Bible went through its processes it’s all very obscure because nearly
it’s all very obscure because nearly
it’s all very obscure because nearly all the documentation has disappeared
all the documentation has disappeared
all the documentation has disappeared there were great fires in Whitehall in
there were great fires in Whitehall in
there were great fires in Whitehall in the Royal Palace in 1618 another one in
the Royal Palace in 1618 another one in
the Royal Palace in 1618 another one in the 1690s so most of the documents have
the 1690s so most of the documents have
the 1690s so most of the documents have disappeared and somehow or other it
disappeared and somehow or other it
disappeared and somehow or other it emerged in 1611 and when it emerged it
emerged in 1611 and when it emerged it
emerged in 1611 and when it emerged it was exceptionally badly done it was
was exceptionally badly done it was
was exceptionally badly done it was absolutely catastrophic the printing a
absolutely catastrophic the printing a
absolutely catastrophic the printing a 19th century scholar started to count
19th century scholar started to count
19th century scholar started to count the mistakes in the King James Bible as
the mistakes in the King James Bible as
the mistakes in the King James Bible as it was printed in 1611 in the various
it was printed in 1611 in the various
it was printed in 1611 in the various editions and he stopped counting at
editions and he stopped counting at
editions and he stopped counting at 25,000 the were of course some very
25,000 the were of course some very
25,000 the were of course some very famous mistakes in the famous wicked
famous mistakes in the famous wicked
famous mistakes in the famous wicked Bible published in 1631
Bible published in 1631
Bible published in 1631 a rather crucial word was left out
I’m told that this is the Bible that
I’m told that this is the Bible that many politicians have found themselves
many politicians have found themselves
many politicians have found themselves in possession of that’s a cheap jig
nevertheless it was a great book and and
nevertheless it was a great book and and it remains a great book and it remains
it remains a great book and it remains
it remains a great book and it remains remained a great book from the day it
remained a great book from the day it
remained a great book from the day it was made
was made
was made until maybe 50 or 60 years ago maimed
until maybe 50 or 60 years ago maimed
until maybe 50 or 60 years ago maimed the book which the whole of the
the book which the whole of the
the book which the whole of the english-speaking world would turn to for
english-speaking world would turn to for
english-speaking world would turn to for wisdom for famous phrases for just as a
wisdom for famous phrases for just as a
wisdom for famous phrases for just as a touchstone in life and I think one of
touchstone in life and I think one of
touchstone in life and I think one of the ways in which one can see how good
the ways in which one can see how good
the ways in which one can see how good it is is by comparing it to later
it is is by comparing it to later
it is is by comparing it to later attempts to do the same thing so I’m
attempts to do the same thing so I’m
attempts to do the same thing so I’m just it’s now I’m going to talk about
just it’s now I’m going to talk about
just it’s now I’m going to talk about really the words the words of the Bible
really the words the words of the Bible
really the words the words of the Bible and this is from Psalm 8 as the
and this is from Psalm 8 as the
and this is from Psalm 8 as the translators did it in in 1611 when I
translators did it in in 1611 when I
translators did it in in 1611 when I consider the heavens the works of thy
consider the heavens the works of thy
consider the heavens the works of thy fingers the moon and the stars which
fingers the moon and the stars which
fingers the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained what is man that thou
thou hast ordained what is man that thou
thou hast ordained what is man that thou art mindful of him and the son of man
art mindful of him and the son of man
art mindful of him and the son of man that thou visitest him for thou has made
that thou visitest him for thou has made
that thou visitest him for thou has made him a little lower than the Angels and
him a little lower than the Angels and
him a little lower than the Angels and has crowned him with glory and honour
has crowned him with glory and honour
has crowned him with glory and honour now I think that those few lines embody
now I think that those few lines embody
now I think that those few lines embody a great deal of what this book is about
a great deal of what this book is about
a great deal of what this book is about the words are immensely simple and yet
the words are immensely simple and yet
the words are immensely simple and yet those words actually do what James
those words actually do what James
those words actually do what James wanted the Bible to do it does actually
wanted the Bible to do it does actually
wanted the Bible to do it does actually fuse something that is great that feels
fuse something that is great that feels
fuse something that is great that feels cosmic in scale with a real intimacy
cosmic in scale with a real intimacy
cosmic in scale with a real intimacy with a sense that this is a set of
with a sense that this is a set of
with a sense that this is a set of meanings that we can all have access to
meanings that we can all have access to
meanings that we can all have access to it has about it a kind of majesty that
it has about it a kind of majesty that
it has about it a kind of majesty that is mindful of man and so if you then
is mindful of man and so if you then
is mindful of man and so if you then move on to an attempt to translate that
move on to an attempt to translate that
move on to an attempt to translate that made by
made by
made by Milton in the 1640s what Milton rate was
Milton in the 1640s what Milton rate was
Milton in the 1640s what Milton rate was when I behold thy heavens thy fingers
when I behold thy heavens thy fingers
when I behold thy heavens thy fingers art the moon and stars which thou so
art the moon and stars which thou so
art the moon and stars which thou so bright has set in the pure firmament
bright has set in the pure firmament
bright has set in the pure firmament then Seth my heart what is man that thou
then Seth my heart what is man that thou
then Seth my heart what is man that thou rememberest yet and think’st upon him or
rememberest yet and think’st upon him or
rememberest yet and think’st upon him or a man begat that him thou visitest and
a man begat that him thou visitest and
a man begat that him thou visitest and of him art found scarce to be less than
of him art found scarce to be less than
of him art found scarce to be less than God’s though amazed his lot with honor
God’s though amazed his lot with honor
God’s though amazed his lot with honor and with state thou hast him crowned now
and with state thou hast him crowned now
and with state thou hast him crowned now Milton is he’s having to cope with you
Milton is he’s having to cope with you
Milton is he’s having to cope with you no rhyme and I Amba cuenta meter and so
no rhyme and I Amba cuenta meter and so
no rhyme and I Amba cuenta meter and so on but he’s reaching higher he’s
on but he’s reaching higher he’s
on but he’s reaching higher he’s reaching for something grander than the
reaching for something grander than the
reaching for something grander than the Jacobean translators were reaching for
Jacobean translators were reaching for
Jacobean translators were reaching for and in doing that full short of where
and in doing that full short of where
and in doing that full short of where they got to that actually by trying to
they got to that actually by trying to
they got to that actually by trying to be too much he loses that precious
be too much he loses that precious
be too much he loses that precious Jacobi an amalgam of the rich and the
Jacobi an amalgam of the rich and the
Jacobi an amalgam of the rich and the clear the the majestic and the ordinary
clear the the majestic and the ordinary
clear the the majestic and the ordinary which they I think you can use the word
which they I think you can use the word
which they I think you can use the word they miraculously landed on it’s
they miraculously landed on it’s
they miraculously landed on it’s drifting away into a sense of its own
drifting away into a sense of its own
drifting away into a sense of its own importance beyond this amazing
importance beyond this amazing
importance beyond this amazing communicativeness of that reading out to
communicativeness of that reading out to
communicativeness of that reading out to the listening editorial board that
the listening editorial board that
the listening editorial board that desire simply to communicate meaning to
desire simply to communicate meaning to
desire simply to communicate meaning to the ear and this gets are worse as time
the ear and this gets are worse as time
the ear and this gets are worse as time goes on there is a drift in
goes on there is a drift in
goes on there is a drift in english-speaking culture so this you
english-speaking culture so this you
english-speaking culture so this you will know it from the non committees
will know it from the non committees
will know it from the non committees that’s among the most famous words of
that’s among the most famous words of
that’s among the most famous words of the whole Bible Lord now lettest thou
the whole Bible Lord now lettest thou
the whole Bible Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to
thy servant depart in peace according to
thy servant depart in peace according to thy word for mine eyes have seen thy
thy word for mine eyes have seen thy
thy word for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou has prepared before
salvation which thou has prepared before
salvation which thou has prepared before the face of all people a light to
the face of all people a light to
the face of all people a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of
lighten the Gentiles and the glory of
lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel all those same
thy people Israel all those same
thy people Israel all those same qualities and famously loved phrases
qualities and famously loved phrases
qualities and famously loved phrases through the centuries but in the 18th
through the centuries but in the 18th
through the centuries but in the 18th century this language started to seem
century this language started to seem
century this language started to seem inadequate and there was an unfortunate
inadequate and there was an unfortunate
inadequate and there was an unfortunate man called the Reverend Edward Harwood
man called the Reverend Edward Harwood
man called the Reverend Edward Harwood who is a
who is a
who is a Minister in Bristol in the West of
Minister in Bristol in the West of
Minister in Bristol in the West of England and he decided in the 1760s to
England and he decided in the 1760s to
England and he decided in the 1760s to do a new translation of the New
do a new translation of the New
do a new translation of the New Testament and which he said he aimed to
Testament and which he said he aimed to
Testament and which he said he aimed to close the idea of the Apostle the
close the idea of the Apostle the
close the idea of the Apostle the Apostles with propriety and perspicuity
Apostles with propriety and perspicuity
Apostles with propriety and perspicuity replacing the bald and barbarous
replacing the bald and barbarous
replacing the bald and barbarous language of the old vulgar version
language of the old vulgar version
language of the old vulgar version that’s the King James Bible with the
that’s the King James Bible with the
that’s the King James Bible with the elegance of modern English now
elegance of modern English now
elegance of modern English now so his version of the knock committees
so his version of the knock committees
so his version of the knock committees goes like this Oh God
goes like this Oh God
goes like this Oh God thy promise to me is amply for filth I
thy promise to me is amply for filth I
thy promise to me is amply for filth I now quit the post of human life with
now quit the post of human life with
now quit the post of human life with satisfaction and joy since Loused
satisfaction and joy since Loused
satisfaction and joy since Loused indulge my eyes were so divine a
indulge my eyes were so divine a
indulge my eyes were so divine a spectacle as the great Messiah well
spectacle as the great Messiah well
spectacle as the great Messiah well think many of us have made better
think many of us have made better
think many of us have made better resignation speeches about Jose and in
resignation speeches about Jose and in
resignation speeches about Jose and in the 20th century it takes a third time
the 20th century it takes a third time
the 20th century it takes a third time so if you have 18th century
so if you have 18th century
so if you have 18th century rationalization 19th century fancy-dress
rationalization 19th century fancy-dress
rationalization 19th century fancy-dress effectively 20th century boredom 20th
effectively 20th century boredom 20th
effectively 20th century boredom 20th century translations aim not to embody
century translations aim not to embody
century translations aim not to embody any of these these kind of great ideas
any of these these kind of great ideas
any of these these kind of great ideas of the music of the Holy if you like you
of the music of the Holy if you like you
of the music of the Holy if you like you know none of them are interested in
know none of them are interested in
know none of them are interested in creating an atmosphere or conveying even
creating an atmosphere or conveying even
creating an atmosphere or conveying even a sense of mystery in what is going on
a sense of mystery in what is going on
a sense of mystery in what is going on the strangeness that the Scriptures
the strangeness that the Scriptures
the strangeness that the Scriptures address they instead famously as the
address they instead famously as the
address they instead famously as the director of the great project called the
director of the great project called the
director of the great project called the new English Bible the worst translation
new English Bible the worst translation
new English Bible the worst translation ever made which appeared in the early
ever made which appeared in the early
ever made which appeared in the early 60s he said he was wanting a timeless
60s he said he was wanting a timeless
60s he said he was wanting a timeless prose in which archaism and hallowed
prose in which archaism and hallowed
prose in which archaism and hallowed associations were to be avoided and a
associations were to be avoided and a
associations were to be avoided and a sense of reality sought now the sense of
sense of reality sought now the sense of
sense of reality sought now the sense of reality was actually a sense of total
reality was actually a sense of total
reality was actually a sense of total ordinariness an idea that information
ordinariness an idea that information
ordinariness an idea that information was what was required
was what was required
was what was required just information adjust the ordinary
just information adjust the ordinary
just information adjust the ordinary facts as transmitted by the most boring
facts as transmitted by the most boring
facts as transmitted by the most boring people who’ve ever lived there is
people who’ve ever lived there is
people who’ve ever lived there is certainly something about the King James
certainly something about the King James
certainly something about the King James Bible which can stimulate in people an
Bible which can stimulate in people an
Bible which can stimulate in people an extreme and obsessive conservatism and
extreme and obsessive conservatism and
extreme and obsessive conservatism and although it is a great book of
although it is a great book of
although it is a great book of liberation and beauty it is in my mind
liberation and beauty it is in my mind
liberation and beauty it is in my mind certainly both those things it is also
certainly both those things it is also
certainly both those things it is also and has often been an instrument of
and has often been an instrument of
and has often been an instrument of control and oppression through much of
control and oppression through much of
control and oppression through much of its history but I would prefer to see
its history but I would prefer to see
its history but I would prefer to see this marvelous image here this is the
this marvelous image here this is the
this marvelous image here this is the finest edition
maybe they King James in eighth Bible
maybe they King James in eighth Bible thank you very much
”
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