This 1550 folio Concordance by John Marbeck (or Merbecke) almost cost him his life. Marbeck was a musician at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for over 50 years. In addition to his many musical accomplishments, Marbeck had a keen interest in theology. He was unable to afford a printed English Bible and thus created a manuscript copy of his own by hand. He also began work on a Biblical concordance during a time when King Henry had just passed The Act of Six Articles, reasserting traditional Catholic doctrine.

Provenance: The signature of William Kythe appears on the final leaf. This is very likely William Kethe – a Marian exile, scholar who translated the Geneva Bible, and musician who contributed with influential verse translations of the Psalms.

In an injunction of 1538, Henry VIII ordered the clergy to install in a convenient place in every parish church “one book of the whole Bible of the largest volume in English.” The order seems to refer to an anticipated revision of Matthew’s Bible. The first edition was printed in Paris and appeared in London in April 1539 with 2,500 copies. The large size of the page led to the nickname “the Great Bible.” It was chained to the pulpit.

This particular copy was printed in Rouen, France during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, at the expense of Richard Carmarden. After the accession of the new queen, the Great Bible was once again ordered to be set up in the churches. Two more editions were printed - this edition being the last.

This copy is almost complete, lacking the prelims, and with just two leaves in Job showing text loss.

There are three editions of the Geneva Bible most desired by Bible collectors. They are the first edition 1560 quarto Geneva, the 1583 Grand Noble Geneva, and this one: the 1578 first pulpit folio Geneva Bible.

A large size folio, apparently so published in order to encourage its illegal use in church services in England. This Bible contains the famous dual Psalter where the Geneva and Prayer Book versions are presented side by side.

This particular edition is also frequently lacking the Book of Common Prayer, frequently removed by BCP aficionados. The word “minister” is substituted throughout for “priest” and some of the Offices are omitted. The BCP is present in our copy, but is lacking eleven leaves.

Text in two column black letter font with 66 lines to the full column. General engraved title page provided in facsimile (1578).

The response to the fast growing popularity of the Geneva Bible was the Bishops’ Bible.

The Church of England recognized the scholarship and caliber of the Geneva Bibles. Many clergymen objected to the study notes it included, particularly the promotion of an elder-led church government. Furthermore, the accuracy of translation in the Geneva version highlighted some translation errors in the Great Bible.

Text in black letter. Separate title page to 'The Newe Testament' with broad woodcut border, register & foliation are continuous. General title and the Kalendar printed in red and black. Includes multiple tables and two maps.