15. Queen Elizabeth

It was in 1568, when Elizabeth had been queen for ten years, that the "Bishop's Bible" was published under the supervision of Parker, Archbishop of Canterbury. This text was most carefully revised by fifteen very learned men, the majority of whom were bishops; and hence the name of the work. As each of these divines completed his share, the Archbishop gave to their labors a final revision. Thus the translation was still further perfected. This first imprint was the most splendid that had ever been issued. It is a magnificent folio, and contains nearly a hundred and fifty engravings. It has long been supposed that this revision was undertaken at the queen's command; but such was not the case. It was eight times printed before the death of Parker in 1775; but was not appointed, like Cranmer's Bible, "to be read in churches."

Up to this time, the Geneva Bible had been repeatedly printed on the continent, and mostly as Geneva itself; but not in England. Yet this was decidedly the people's Bible, and enjoyed the popular preference for domestic use.