John Wycliffe's English Manuscript Bible (Facsimile of 1382 Edition)

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Wycliffe's translation represents the first translation of the Bible into English. The form he spoke is now known as Middle English (he was a contemporary of Chaucer). Wycliffe was an early opponent of the papacy. Although trained in Hebrew and Greek, Wycliffe and those who worked with him based their translation on Latin manuscripts of the Bible. It is unclear how much of the translation was actually produced by Wycliffe himself. Nicholas of Hereford translated the majority of the Old Testament. Wycliffe may have provided other sections of the Old Testament and worked on the New Testament, but it is also possible they were translated by his secretary, John Purvey.

The translation is a very stiff and literal rendering of the Latin text. A second edition in a more refined English style was issued in 1388 after Wycliffe's death. The use of his Bible helped standardize the English language, and he prepared the way for later English versions. Because he preceded the Reformation and prepared the way for much of what came later, Wycliffe is known as the "morning star" of the Reformation.

The facsimile here shows a handwritten version, as Wycliffe worked prior to the invention of Gutenberg's printing press.

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