Features
We trace the story of the Hampton Court conference that set the KJB in motion, discover how it was printed, compare methods of translation, and talk to author David Crystal about the evolution of the English language. We even try a lucky dip...
Making The Book
It’s difficult for us today, surrounded by newspapers, magazines and books, to imagine just what went into the first printings of the King James version of the Bible. It was a huge project because of how long the book was, how many copies had to be printed and how painstaking the printing process was.
Interview with David Crystal
David Crystal is one of the world’s leading experts on the English language. He talked to ICONS about the state of the language around the time of the King James Bible, and about the influence of the Bible on the English we speak today.
Focus: The Hampton Court Conference I (the set-up)
Hampton Court was already an impressive building when it was acquired by Henry VIII from Cardinal Wolsey in 1529. But once Henry had completed his embellishments in 1540, it was one of the most imposing and sophisticated palaces in Europe.
Focus: The Hampton Court Conference II (what actually happened)
So if you've read<the set-up> you'll know who was involved, and what was on the agenda. But the participants left the agenda pretty quickly, and what actually happened during the negotiations was quite different to what the King had planned...
Focus: The Hampton Court Conference II (what actually happened)
Translating the Bible
What is the difference between a good and a bad translation of a literary work? How can you tell? Well, for a start, consider the following...
Ten things...
So you think you know about the King James Bible? Well, here are ten things you may not have known...
Divination and Prophecy
Not everybody sees the Bible purely as a text for studying. In many belief systems, a sacred book may be used as a divination tool – seeking knowledge of the future in this way is known as “bibliomancy”. This involves treating the book as a means of consulting the divine intelligence for advice, or even premonitions.
Family Bibles
Kept in the home and sometimes read aloud by the family on Sundays, family bibles were expensive, often beautifully illustrated, books. Large and heavy, they were not suitable for carrying around.
