Rare 1588 Welsh Bible Goes on Display in Wales For First Time

The first complete translation of the Bible into the Welsh language has been loaned by Westminster Abbey to St Davids Cathedral where it has gone on public display for the first time this week. 

The translation of the Bible into Welsh was a key project of the 16th and 17th century Reformation. Bringing scripture directly to the people in a language they understood was a central tenet of the changes. In 16th century Wales, this meant the Welsh language rather than the English language.

Queen Elizabeth I declared there should be a Bible in Welsh in every village in Wales. Bishop William Morgan was given the responsibility to bring together the various existing books of the Bible that had already been translated into Welsh to create  a recognised, standard version of written Welsh. Around 900 copies were then printed and distributed to churches around Wales.

The book was produced in London by Christopher Barker who held the royal licence to print Bibles. To oversee the project, Bishop Morgan stayed with his friend from north Wales Gabriel Goodman,who was the Dean of Westminster and Morgan presented a copy to Westminster Abbey Library, adding a Latin inscription recording the gift to the title page. The Bible has been safely cared for ever in the Abbey’s library since and this loan will be the first time it has left Westminster for any length of time and the first time it will be in Wales.  

"We are delighted to welcome home the very first copy of the earliest printed Bible in Welsh," said The Dean of St Davids, Dr Sarah Rowland Jones. "It seems fitting that its first visit to Wales should be here, to the home of our patron saint, at our spiritual heart. We look forward to having it on show before its return to the Abbey, to share with Welsh Christians of all traditions, for whom Y Beibl Cyssegr-Lan of 1588 Bible is a uniquely valuable treasure in our heritage of faith and language.’ 

"This copy of the Welsh Bible reminds us of the important role of learning in the life of the Church and of the rich collections of printed books and manuscripts which have been cared for and studied over the centuries in the libraries of our cathedrals and collegiate churches," said Dr Tony Trowles, Head of the Abbey Collection. 

The Bible will be on public display in St Davids Cathedral’s Treasury until July 9.