A 500 Year Anniversary
Having the Bible in your hands 500 years ago was considered so dangerous that it could get you imprisoned, tortured or even burned at the stake. But amidst this oppression, a few courageous individuals risked everything to ensure that the Bible could be understood by everyone, not just the elite.
“God’s Word is a treasure that should be available to all.” William Tyndale
William Tyndale’s story is one of unparalleled bravery, intrigue, and unwavering faith. He embarked on a mission to translate the Bible into contemporary English, finishing the New Testament in 1525. But this was no ordinary feat. Tyndale had to flee England to have his work printed on the Continent, evading authorities who were determined to silence him. His efforts laid the foundation for what would eventually become a fundamental part of English culture and religious life.
Churches Together in Lymm & District, in partnership with the Lymm Festival, are celebrating this important anniversary with Public Readings of the Bible, laced with drama, music, comedy, dance and poetry, and an exhibition exploring Tyndale’s story and legacy.
William Tyndale: A Life of Courage and Conviction
Born around 1490, William Tyndale grew up in Gloucestershire and was ordained as a priest in 1515. He began his ministry locally and did not set out to be a revolutionary. Initially, Tyndale hoped to promote reform from within the Church. However, he soon discovered that the church hierarchy feared what might happen if ordinary people could read and understand the Bible for themselves—they might begin to question the Church’s teachings and authority.
Tyndale fled to Cologne, where he began translating the New Testament from the original Greek, striving to stay faithful to the earliest texts. Printing began in Cologne in 1525, but the press was raided, forcing Tyndale to escape to Worms. There, in 1526, the first complete edition of his English New Testament was published. Copies were smuggled into England, but the Bishop of London ordered them to be collected and burned outside St. Paul’s Cathedral. Most were destroyed or lost, but two original copies still survive today, one of which is housed in the British Library. A facsimile of this edition is featured in the Tyndale500 Exhibition.
Tyndale continued his translation work, even teaching himself Hebrew, an extraordinary achievement at the time. By 1530, he had published the first part of the Old Testament and released a revised version of the New Testament in 1534.
In 1535, Tyndale was betrayed by Henry Phillips, a gambler seeking reward money. He was arrested and imprisoned in Vilvoorde Castle near Brussels, charged with heresy for teaching ideas that challenged Church doctrine. Remarkably, during his imprisonment, both the jailer and his daughter were converted by Tyndale’s witness. Some said there was no godlier man in all of England.
After eighteen months in prison, Tyndale was executed in 1536—strangled and then burned at the stake. His final words are believed to have been a prayer: “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes.” Ironically, within a year, Tyndale’s prayer was answered. King Henry VIII ordered that an English Bible be placed in every church in the land.
Tyndale’s influence on the English language and culture is profound. His words shaped the language of Shakespeare and everyday expressions we still use today, such as “my brother’s keeper,” “go the extra mile,” and “the apple of his eye.” His legacy laid the groundwork for the Reformation in England and continues to inspire centuries later. We can only imagine how much more he might have accomplished if he had lived longer.
Festival Partners
Churches Together in Lymm
We are grateful to about 100 individual members of all the Lymm Churches who have contributed both financially and in volunteering to make sure that Tyndale500 can happen smoothly. It is wonderful to see all the churches working together for a common goal. Well done everyone!
Lymm Baptist Church
LBC is a family-oriented Baptist Church, with a heart for teaching the Bible and serving their community. After a recent renovation, LBC provides an excellent venue for festival events and we are very grateful to the church for hosting and sponsoring Tyndale500.
Lymm Festival
LBC is a family-oriented Baptist Church, with a heart for teaching the Bible and serving their community. After a recent renovation, LBC provides an excellent venue for festival events and we are very grateful to the church for hosting and sponsoring Tyndale500.
Baptist Insurance Company
The BIC is another key sponsor. Their funding is directed at projects that are likely to help in the propagation of the gospel.
