A Detailed Biography of William Tyndale: The English Bible Translator

This essay provides a comprehensive biography of William Tyndale, a pivotal figure in the early English Reformation, focusing on his life, education, and significant contributions to the translation of the Bible into English. The essay begins by outlining Tyndale's birth and family background, highlighting his early education at Oxford and Cambridge, where he developed a strong aptitude for languages and a deep understanding of scripture. It details his efforts to translate the New Testament, his challenges with the Church, and his eventual exile and printing of the New Testament, facing persecution and opposition. The essay also discusses his translation of the Old Testament, his betrayal, and his execution, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to making the Bible accessible to the English people, despite the personal sacrifices he made. The essay highlights Tyndale's lasting legacy as a key figure in shaping the English language and paving the way for the widespread availability of the Bible in English.

Biography of
William Tyndale

William Tyndale
William Tyndale is well known to be the remarkable figure in the first generation of
English Protestants. He has contributed effectively towards the history of English Bible deserves
to be written in golden letter. There are no exact dates for his birth but it is assigned to be in the
year 1494. More specifically, he was born in Gloucestershire on the borders of Wales (Canon,
2010). There are not much of information regarding members of Tyndale. Edward, Richard and
John are considered to be brothers of Tyndale. Among these John Tyndale was a merchant of
London and was fined by the Star Chamber in the year 1530 in order to assist William for the
circulation of New Testament. It is not possible to ascertain the parentage as there are no
authoritative statement given.
Educational background: He was sent to Magdalen hall in University of Oxford at early
age. There he was known to be virtuous learning and conduct. Moreover, he had high aptitude
for acquisition of languages (Juhász, 2014). According to quotes given by Robert Demausa,
Tyndal’s was determine to be an Englishman who is so skilled to speak in seven tongues; Italian,
French, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Spanish and English. He was so fluent in all these languages that
whoever heard him speak will think it is his native tongue. At Oxford, he devoted himself for
studying scriptures. He was so involved in it that he used to instruct his friends in the trust and
knowledge of the Scriptures.
He read the Greek edition of New Testament and discovered the joy and freedom of the
doctrine of justification by faith. The understanding that he gained, he wanted to share this with
countrymen by making an English translation for New Testament (Werrell, 2013). Further, he
was appointed in Cardinal Wolsey’s which was newly founded college but was imprisoned as he
was found suspected of Lutheranism.
In the year 1515 he gained M.A. from Oxford, later he moved on to University of
Cambridge for some time. There no reasons identified for why Tyndal’s left Oxford but it is said
that he wanted to share scripture but it was not possible to do that staying in Oxford (Vandiver,
Keen and Frazel, 2010). Further, it is being assumed that he left University of Cambridge in the
year 1521.
At Sodbury: He started serving as a tutor at Sir Walsh and there he got the opportunity to
meet groups of learned people, which included people like doctors, archdeacons, deans, etc.
majority of the talking were of learning Erasmus, Luther and opinions of scripture. Tyndale
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confronted with these learned people and showed them opening from scripture (Moynahan,
2011). This was the condition due to which rivalry created and they started developing grudges
in their heart.
The understanding of Tyndale was so high that clergymen were not able to win their
arguments as Tyndale used to undertook the translation of Erasmus; Manual of a Christian
Soldier. His work for translating was successfully accomplished. He gave the translated copy to
this Sir Walsh and lady who were in support of him and they read the book (James, 2011). Both
were in favour of the opinion given by Tyndale. He knew that actions will causes serious issues
but he started preaching in adjacent villages and to the crowd who collected around him at
College Green in Bristol. Then he was accused of heresy and was summoned in front of
chancellors and priest where he was treated badly. One think that he identified that due to lack of
understanding of Latin among people which also included the priest. This boosted him to
translate Bible in English at all cost. This way, people will be able read the scripture in their own
language and will understand them more clearly (Betteridge, 2010). He consider translating the
Bible to English as noblest service that can be rendered to country.
Tyndale made use of original language Hebrew and Greek to translate in to English.
When he disclosed his intentions, then the news spread and he was opposed by priests and was
charged with heresy (Teems, 2012). The matter was getting worse and when he came to know
that translation is not possible in Sodbury, then he left that place and went to London.
In London: It was in the year 1523 when Tyndale reached London were he was supported
by Sir Harry Guildford. Letter was written to bishop so that he may provide permission so that
Tyndale can start with his greatest work. He waited for long but there was no reply case. Mean
time he engaged himself to preach in St. Dunstan’s in the West (Canon, 2010). After a while the
reply from bishop came in which the he stated there is no place in this house and advised him to
seek in London. Later he realized that he has to go abroad so that the work can be completed.
Then, it was in the year 1524 he left to Wittenberg as per one of the theories in order to see
Martin Luther.
Printing of New Testament: He went to Colonge which well-known famous printers in
England. As per some of the evidence, it shows that Gospel of Mark and Mathew were printed
separately (Juhász, 2014). These two Gospel must have printed at Wittenberg as Hamburg did
not had any printers. It was said that about 300 copies were said to be printed but they were
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interrupted by John Cochloeus which was dean of the church of Blessed Virgin At Frankfort. In
spite of all these issues, Tyndale printed 6000 copies from Worms. It is not sure when his
translations reached England but in the year 1526 copies began to stream in England.
In the year 1528, Tyndale began his work to translate Old Testament and by the end of
1529. This is considered to be the second most devoted work of his life. The support that he got
from the people was tremendous. People developed curiosity to know what has mention in the
book. Further, they were also able to know the concepts and to develop more understanding
about Scripture. The rate of people who bought the book also raised and is spite of all the efforts
the sire of bishop and priest and other people they were not able to stop it.
The Betrayal: It was in 1535, as per the order to King Henry VIII, many English men
engaged in hunting for William Tyndale (Werrell, 2013). Henry Philip was an English men and
with his charming personality he was able to win confidence of all English merchants. This man
came in contact with Tyndale and trusted in like any think. Tyndale was betrayed and he was
arrested with the help of Philip. In the year, 1535, May 23 or 24, Tyndale was arrested. He was
prisoned for more than a year, approximately 500 days and was condemned to death on October
6, 1536 (Vandiver, Keen and Frazel, 2010). At the time of his death, the last words that was
spoken by him was “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!”
There were incidents that took place in the life of William Tyndale but he was
determinant to attain the goal which was to translate the Bible to English. The prayers and distant
dream came true just with the faith and confidence that he possessed in himself. He sacrificed his
life so that countrymen will be able to live a new life by providing them the opportunity to read
Scripture in their own language.
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REFERENCES
Betteridge, T., 2010. William Tyndale and Religious Debate. Journal of Medieval and Early
Modern Studies. 40(3). pp.439-461.
Canon, E. B., 2010. The Use of Modal Expression Preference as a Marker of Style and
Attribution: The Case of William Tyndale and the 1533 English Enchiridion Militis
Christiani. Peter Lang.
Greenblatt, S. and Christ, C. T. eds., 2012. The Norton anthology of English literature. WW
Norton & Company.
James, J., 2011. Establishing and English Bible in Henry VIII's England: translation, vernacular
theology, and William Tyndale(Doctoral dissertation, University of York).
Juhász, G. M., 2014. Translating resurrection: the debate between William Tyndale and George
Joye in its historical and theological context. Brill.
Moynahan, B., 2011. Book of Fire: William Tyndale, Thomas More and the Bloody Birth of the
English Bible. Hachette UK.
Teems, D., 2012. Tyndale: The Man who Gave God an English Voice. Thomas Nelson Inc.
Vandiver, E., Keen, R. and Frazel, T.D., 2010. Luther's lives: Two contemporary accounts of
Martin Luther. Manchester University Press.
Werrell, R. S., 2013. The Roots of William Tyndale's Theology. James Clarke & Co.
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