King James Bible with the Book of Common Prayer

This 1641 King James Bible is bound with a 1638 copy of the Book of Common Prayer, the liturgical book of the Church of England. The inclusion of the Book of Common Prayer reveals the close connection between the King James translation and the Church of England. This connection is also visible in the translation of certain passages. In Acts 1:20, for instance, Peter references Psalm 109:8 while discussing a replacement for Judas. The earlier Geneva Bible translated this as, “Let another take his charge (episkopē),” whereas the King James translated episkopē as “bishoprick,” placing “office” or “charge” as alternative possibilities in the margin. The preference for “bishoprick” rather than “office” or “charge” clearly reflected the Church of England’s episcopal hierarchy.

Printed in 1641 by Robert Barker, London, England.[1] Acquired in the 1640s by William Robinson, Newby, England.[2] Inherited by Margaret Weddell (née Robinson), York, England.[3] Acquired by 2010 by Adrian Greenwood Rare Books, Oxford, England; Privately purchased in 2010 by Green Collection, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Donated in 2016 to National Christian Foundation (later The Signatry), under the curatorial care of Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC.

Notes: [1] While the Bible was printed in 1641, the Book of Common Prayer bound with it was printed in 1638. [2] A paper tipped into the front flyleaves records the baptism dates of the children of William Robinson (d. 1638), the sheriff of Yorkshire, and his wife, Frances Robinson (née Metcalf). A note by Thomas Medley, possibly a bookseller or bookbinder, reads, “Aprill the 8th 1642 I warrant this bible perfect Thomas Medley.” It is possible the Robinsons acquired the Bible in 1642 after Medley’s annotation. [3] The Bible was likely inherited by Margaret Robinson, who married William Weddell, a York merchant, in 1653. Subsequent inscriptions list the birthdays of 13 members of the Weddell family, at least 10 of whom were children of Margaret and William.

King James Version Bibles