Welsh Bible Comes Home At Last

A Crown Jewel of Welsh Heritage: 1588 Bible Makes Historic Journey Home

An exceptional Welsh-language scripture, unseen for four centuries, has made a historic return to its homeland. The volume from 1588, a product of Bishop William Morgan's efforts, has journeyed from its long-term residence at Westminster Abbey for an unprecedented public showing. This remarkable artefact is on display in Pembrokeshire, at the holy site of St David, providing a singular chance for the public to connect with a cornerstone of Welsh faith, language, and national identity. The loan marks a significant cultural moment, celebrating a book that not only brought scripture to the Welsh people in their own tongue but also played a crucial role in the very survival of their language.

There is significant anticipation for the scripture's arrival at Wales's spiritual core. Maintained in a remarkable state, its pages narrate a history of incredible dedication, scholarly collaboration, and political foresight during a turbulent period of European history. From its creation in the same year as the Spanish Armada's attempted invasion to its meticulous preservation behind chained library shelves, the journey of this book is as compelling as the sacred text it contains. This exhibition is more than a display of a rare book; it stands as an observance of a national treasure.

A Realm in Flux: The Elizabethan Mandate

The narrative behind the scripture in the Welsh language unfolds against the backdrop of the late 16th century, a period of profound religious and political change across Europe. Queen Elizabeth I occupied the English throne, her reign defined by the consolidation of Protestantism and the constant threat from Catholic powers, most notably Spain. It was within this charged atmosphere that the drive to render the holy book in vernacular languages gained momentum. The Protestant Reformation championed the idea that every person should have access to scripture in a language they could comprehend, a radical departure from the Latin-dominated services of the Roman Catholic Church.

This principle led to a pivotal moment for the native tongue of Wales. Despite the Acts of Union in 1536 and 1542, which had sought to integrate Wales with England and banned Welsh from official use, a crucial piece of legislation emerged. In 1563, the English Parliament passed the "Acte for the translating of the Byble and the Dyvine Service into the Welshe Tongue." This was a calculated political decision. The Crown feared that without a Protestant Bible in their own language, the Welsh might remain sympathetic to Catholicism. Thus, ensuring religious uniformity was deemed more critical than enforcing linguistic conformity, a move that inadvertently secured the prospects for the language of Wales.

The Scholar’s Crusade: Bishop William Morgan

This immense translation responsibility was ultimately taken on by William Morgan, a clergyman whose intellect and dedication were perfectly suited to the task. Born around 1545 in Penmachno, Morgan was a gifted scholar who studied at St John's College, Cambridge, where he mastered Greek and Hebrew. The university environment was a hub of Reformation spirit, which undoubtedly influenced the young Welshman. He became a firm believer that the Old Testament, in addition to the New, needed to be available to his compatriots.

Morgan was officially commissioned in 1578 to create a standard, complete Welsh scripture. His work was not done in a vacuum. He built upon earlier, partial translations, most notably the 1567 Welsh New Testament by William Salesbury. However, Salesbury's work had stylistic flaws that Morgan sought to correct. For nearly a decade, Morgan devoted himself to the painstaking work of translating directly from the original Hebrew and Greek texts, a monumental undertaking for a single individual. His effort was not just a translation; it was a masterful act of linguistic curation that would shape the future of written Welsh.

A London Sojourn: The Challenge of the Press

In 1587, with his precious manuscript complete, William Morgan embarked on the 200-mile journey from Wales to London. The capital was the only place in England with the printing capacity for such a significant publication. The task fell to Christopher Barker, the official printer to Queen Elizabeth I, who held the exclusive patent for printing Bibles in England. The method for printing itself presented a formidable challenge. The English printing staff did not comprehend or read Welsh, meaning Morgan had to remain in London for many weeks to personally oversee every stage of production, meticulously proofreading the pages to prevent errors.

This crucial phase of the project was made possible through the support of a key ally. Morgan lodged at the deanery of Westminster Abbey as a guest of his close friend, Gabriel Goodman. Goodman was not only Westminster's Dean but also another native of Wales, born in Ruthin, who understood the significance of Morgan's work. His hospitality provided Morgan with a base of operations and a supportive environment in London, demonstrating the importance of this Welsh network in the heart of the English establishment. This assistance was instrumental in bringing the Bible to fruition.

Image Credit - BBC

A Gift for the Ages: The Westminster Copy

Upon the Bible’s successful printing in 1588, William Morgan showed his gratitude to his friend and patron, Gabriel Goodman. He presented a specially bound volume of the newly printed text as a donation for the collection at the Westminster Abbey library. To commemorate the occasion, Morgan wrote a message penned in Latin on the title page, formally recording the volume as a contribution to the Abbey's archives. This personal touch provides a direct, tangible link between the translator and the book's centuries-long home. This specific volume has remained part of the Abbey's archives without interruption, a silent witness to over 400 years of history.

The book's remarkable state of preservation is a direct result of its history. Tony Trowles, who oversees the Abbey's collection, notes that the initial intention was to generate approximately nine hundred editions, with the goal of distributing one to all churches across Wales. These parish copies were used extensively for weekly, and sometimes daily, services. Consequently, the surviving copies found in Wales today are often in poor condition from heavy use. The Westminster volume, by contrast, saw almost no use. It was even fastened with chains to the library's shelving, a common security practice at the time, to prevent its removal, further ensuring its protection.

An Artefact of its Time: Craftsmanship and Creation

The 1588 scripture in the Welsh language is a testament to the advanced printing and bookbinding techniques of the Elizabethan era. The volume itself is a folio, printed on durable paper with a binding of dark leather stretched across sturdy wooden boards. This method of construction was typical for important books of the period, designed for longevity and frequent use in church lecterns. The procedure for printing was a highly technical and laborious craft. Each individual letter had to be set by hand, in reverse, to form the words and sentences on the printing plate. Multiple pages were then printed on a single large sheet of paper, which was later folded and cut to form the book's sections.

The Queen's Printer, Christopher Barker, and his deputies oversaw this complex operation. Barker was a powerful figure in the London printing trade, holding a monopoly on the printing of all Bibles, Acts of Parliament, and other official documents. His workshops produced around seventy different editions of the Scriptures during his tenure, known for their accuracy and quality. The production of the Welsh-language scripture was a significant undertaking, requiring careful coordination and Morgan’s constant supervision to ensure the text was free from the types of errors that could easily creep in when printers were unfamiliar with the language.

A National Treasure’s Homecoming

The journey of the 1588 Bible from its London home at Westminster Abbey to St Davids Cathedral, located in Pembrokeshire, represents a historic moment. It is believed to be the premier occasion the volume has ever been publicly exhibited and, more significantly, its debut exhibition within Wales. The loan was facilitated through close collaboration between the two ancient religious institutions, a process celebrated by Tony Trowles. He noted the pleasure of working with colleagues at the cathedral to allow the Bible to be "seen and appreciated on Welsh soil for its debut."

The move required careful planning, including robust security measures and conservation protocols to protect the priceless artefact during transit and display. The public exhibition runs from June seventeenth to July ninth, offering a limited window for people to witness this piece of history firsthand. Although the Bible has been part of Westminster's collection for centuries, it featured during a service in 1988, held at the church of St Benet Paul's Wharf in London, a place with a longstanding connection to the Welsh population, marking the 400th anniversary of its publication. This return to Wales, however, is a homecoming of unparalleled significance.

St Davids Cathedral: A Worthy Host

There is no more fitting Welsh venue to host the 1588 Bible than the cathedral of St David. Nestled in Britain's smallest city, the cathedral stands on the site of a 6th-century monastery founded by St David, the patron saint of Wales. For centuries, it served as a main hub of pilgrimage and the undisputed spiritual heart of the nation. The current structure, begun in 1181, is an architectural marvel of purple sandstone that has withstood tower collapses and even an earthquake. Its enduring presence is a testament to the faith and resilience of the people from Wales.

The Right Rev Dorrien Davies, who is the Bishop for St Davids, called the book a special item of cultural and linguistic importance and expressed what an honour it is for the cathedral to host it. Echoing this sentiment, the Very Rev Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, who serves as Dean for St Davids, commented on the appropriateness of the Bible's first trip to Wales being at the location of their patron saint. She articulated a hope that the exhibition would be made available to Welsh Christians of all backgrounds, who view the scripture as a unique and precious part of their shared tradition of belief and linguistics.

The Bible's Enduring Legacy: Forging a Language

The importance of William Morgan's 1588 translation extends far beyond its religious function. Many historians and linguists credit the Welsh scripture with nothing less than saving the native tongue of Wales from decline. At a time when the Acts of Union had relegated Welsh to a secondary status, banning it from the spheres of law and administration, the Bible gave the language a powerful new platform. It conferred upon Welsh the status of a liturgical language, suitable for the highest form of worship, which was a critical factor in its survival.

Morgan's work established a standard literary form of Welsh for its initial instance. By drawing on the classical language of the bards and unifying various regional dialects, he crafted a text of "unfailing accuracy" and literary elegance. This standardised language became the foundation for Welsh prose for the next three centuries, nourishing a vast body of literature and ensuring that the language did not fragment into a collection of mutually unintelligible dialects. The Welsh people became known as 'a nation of one book', a testament to the Bible's profound impact on their cultural and linguistic identity. It remains arguably the single most important book ever published in the native tongue of Wales.

Image Credit - Sky News

A Standard for Faith and Worship

William Morgan’s translation immediately became the authoritative version of the scriptures for use in churches across Wales. Its publication meant that, for the inaugural time, congregations could hear and engage with the entirety of the Holy Book in their native tongue during services. This accessibility was a cornerstone of the Protestant faith and transformed the nature of Welsh worship. The creation of a common literary language, understood across the country, helped to unify the nation both spiritually and linguistically. The Bible provided a shared frame of reference that was central to the development of Welsh non-conformity and religious life for generations.

The 1588 edition was not the final word. William Morgan himself began work on a revision to correct some printing errors. After his death in 1604, this work was continued by Bishop Richard Parry and the scholar Dr John Davies. Their revised version, published in 1620, brought the text into closer alignment with the influential 1611 King James Version of the English Bible while polishing Morgan's literary language. It is this 1620 revision, still known as Morgan's Bible, that became the standard Welsh Bible for nearly 300 years, securing its place as a central text in Welsh life.

A Tale of Two Conditions: Surviving Copies

The exceptional preservation of the Westminster Abbey copy stands in stark contrast to the condition of most other surviving 1588 Bibles. The copies distributed to parishes in Wales were working books, read from every Sunday and handled by generations of clergy and parishioners. This constant use inevitably led to significant wear and tear, and the copies that remain in Welsh collections today often bear the marks of their long and active service. They are precious for the history they represent, but they lack the pristine quality of the Westminster volume.

The Abbey's copy, which was utilized during a service only once and kept securely in a library for over four centuries, provides a unique glimpse of the book as it would have appeared when it first left the printer's workshop. Its clean pages and strong binding make it an invaluable reference for scholars and conservators. Other original copies are held in institutions such as the National Library of Wales, but the Westminster Bible is unparalleled in its condition. Its exhibition allows the public to see not just a historic text, but a beautifully crafted object in a state of near-original perfection.

The London Welsh: A Enduring Connection

The narrative behind the Welsh scripture also highlights the vibrant past of London's Welsh population. The one and only time the Westminster Abbey copy was incorporated into a formal church proceeding was in 1988, at the church of St Benet Paul's Wharf. Located near the site of the old Paul's Wharf on the Thames, this church, rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of 1666, has a deep and lasting connection with the people of Wales. Its history as a place of worship dates back to 1111.

In the late 19th century, when many City of London churches were being considered for demolition due to dwindling local populations, St Benet's was saved. In 1879, Queen Victoria granted the church to the Welsh Anglican community for services to be held in their own language. It has served as London's Metropolitan Welsh Church ever since, a spiritual home for Welsh people in the capital. The 400th-anniversary service in 1988, using the very book that solidified their native tongue in worship, was a powerful symbol of this enduring link between Wales and its diaspora in the heart of London.

Conservation in the 21st Century

Transporting and displaying a 437-year-old book requires meticulous care and the application of modern conservation science. The Westminster Abbey Bible is an organic object, made of paper, leather, and wood, all of which are susceptible to changes in temperature, humidity, and light. To ensure its preservation, the exhibition at the Pembrokeshire cathedral takes place within a controlled environment. The treasury, where it is displayed, maintains stable conditions to prevent any damage to the delicate materials. Light levels are kept low, as prolonged exposure can cause ink to fade and paper to become brittle.

Cooperation between conservation experts from Westminster Abbey and from the cathedral of St David was essential to the loan's success. Specialists in the care of rare books and manuscripts would have overseen every aspect of the Bible's journey and display. Such artefacts are not merely old; they are irreplaceable records of human history. The effort invested in their preservation reflects their immense cultural value. The temporary exhibition is a rare chance for the public to see the fruits of centuries of careful stewardship, combined with the latest conservation expertise.

Image Credit - BBC

A Legacy of Access and Identity

At its heart, the mission of William Morgan and his supporters was to provide the people of Wales with direct access to the scriptures. In his dedication to Queen Elizabeth I, Morgan stated that unless religion is taught in the common tongue, it will remain hidden and unknown. This powerful idea—that faith and knowledge should be accessible to all, not just a scholarly elite—was a driving force of the Reformation. The 1588 Bible was the ultimate fulfilment of that mission for Wales, empowering individuals and communities to engage with their faith on their own terms.

This legacy of access resonates strongly today. The story of the scripture in the Welsh language represents a powerful reminder of the vital link between language, culture, and identity. In an age where many minority languages are under threat, the survival and flourishing of Welsh serve as an inspiration. The Bible's role in this survival demonstrates how a single, seminal work can anchor a language, providing a standard and a source of pride that sustains it through centuries of change. The exhibition at St Davids is a celebration of this enduring linguistic and cultural resilience.

Experiencing a Piece of History

Those who visit the cathedral at St Davids between the seventeenth of June and the ninth of July have the unique privilege of coming face-to-face with this foundational document of Welsh heritage. Displayed in the cathedral's treasury, the Bible is presented as a focal point of reverence and historical significance. The surrounding atmosphere within the ancient cathedral, itself a site of pilgrimage for over 800 years, adds to the profound sense of connection with the past. The opportunity to see the Latin message penned by Morgan himself, and to appreciate the craftsmanship of the 16th-century binding, makes for a deeply personal experience.

The event has drawn praise from cultural and religious leaders across Wales, who recognise its importance in connecting contemporary audiences with a key part of their history. For Welsh speakers, it presents an opportunity to honour the book that codified their language. For Christians, it is an opportunity to see a historic version of their sacred text. For all visitors, it represents an uncommon encounter with an object that embodies the soul of a nation, its faith, and its enduring voice.

Voices from Today on a Timeless Treasure

The excitement surrounding the Bible’s exhibition is palpable throughout Wales. For instance, Dorrien Davies, the Right Rev and Bishop for St Davids, recalled first seeing the Bible during a visit to London for St David's Day and immediately recognising its profound significance for the Welsh people. His words capture a sense of personal connection and national pride. Similarly, Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, who is St Davids' Dean and the Very Rev, spoke of the deep symbolic appropriateness of the Bible's first Welsh visit being to the nation's spiritual heartland, a sentiment that resonates with many.

Historians have reaffirmed the Bible's critical role, with many scholars agreeing that without Morgan's work, the Welsh tongue might have followed other Celtic tongues like Cornish into obscurity. Dr Tony Trowles of Westminster Abbey highlighted how the loan underscores the vital role that cathedral libraries have played for centuries in caring for and studying these rich collections of books and manuscripts. These contemporary voices all speak to a single truth: the 1588 Welsh Bible is far more than just a book; the volume is a living piece of Welsh heritage.

Conclusion: More Than a Book, A National Symbol

The presentation of the 1588 Welsh-language Bible at the St Davids holy site is a landmark event. This book is not merely a religious text or a historical curiosity; it represents a foundation of what it means to be Welsh. Its creation was an act of profound faith, exceptional scholarship, and astute politics. Its impact was transformative, securing the future of a language and shaping the cultural and spiritual identity of a nation. For over four centuries, this volume has been carefully preserved at Westminster Abbey, a symbol of the enduring friendship and shared history between two nations.

Now, on its first journey back to its homeland, William Morgan’s Bible offers a powerful connection to the past. It stands as a testament to the belief that every person deserves to hear the word of God, and to speak to God, in the language of their heart. As it rests in the historic Pembrokeshire setting, it serves as a source of pride and inspiration, a reminder of the resilience of Welsh culture and the enduring power of words to define and preserve a nation's soul.