Secrets of the Dead: Battle for the Bible

Stars
3
Rating
Not Rated
Author
Length
60 min
Director
Secrets of the Dead: Battle for the Bible
Synopsis
"This PBS investigative show examines three key figures in the translation and proliferation of the English Bible: 14th-century theologian and reformer John Wycliffe, 16th-century translator William Tyndale and Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer. Their struggles to translate the tightly guarded ancient texts into everyday language had far-reaching effects that ultimately led to the Protestant Reformation." [Netflix]
The Black Death peaked in 1346-53. John Wycliffe began translating the Bible in the 1370s; he died in 1384. The first English translations of the Bible were available in the 1380s. Each Bible took about 6 months to copy by hand. The English Bible encouraged believers to think for themselves. They were called Lollards, and they were persecuted. Wycliffe's body was exhumed to be burned and his ashes were scattered.
William Tyndale was born in 1494. He was fluent in French, Greek, Hebrew, German, Italian, Latin, Spanish, and English. A new translation of the Greek Bible into Latin inspired him to make a translation into English. His translation was finally printed in 1526. He then fled to Antwerp. Later he was captured and executed in 1536. A few months after his death, Henry VIII legalized the Tyndale translation.
In 1522, Luther published a German translation.
Thomas Cranmer was Archbishop of Canterbury during the reign of Henry VIII. He authorized the "Mathew" version of the English Bible, which was actually William Tyndale's translation. This was later revised to become the first truly national Bible used in all the churches of England. Cranmer was imprisoned and executed during the reign of Queen Mary.
Genre
Documentary
Released
2007
Location
Europe & America
Netflix
No

This movie is linked to the following periods

PeriodMinor
Begin
End
Category
Plantagenets
1154
1399
British Isles
John Wycliffe
1325
1385
People (Religion)
Tudor Kings & Queens
1485
1558
British Isles