Concise historical introduction to William Tyndale and his continuing influence on the world and how we see it. On the morning of 6 October 1536, a frail scholar was taken from a dungeon in the castle at Vilvoorde, just north of Brussels. Armed guards kept the crowds at bay as he was led through the streets of the small town. He was to be burned. The funeral pyre, a wigwam stack of planks surmounted by a cross, was ready. Gunpowder would be thrown on the wood to encourage the flames. He was allowed a few moments of prayer. As a priest, prayer had been the keystone of his faith. After the brief pause, he walked up the steps to be tied to the cross. As he waited for the flames, he called out, "Lord, open the King of England's eyes!"'This was William Tyndale, the man whose translation of the New Testament and much of the Old Testament was to bring about more profound changes to the English-speaking world over the next five centuries than the works of any other man in its history.'From Chapter 1: Innocence and genius Reviews William Tyndale is the only writer in the English language more influential than William Shakespeare. Melvyn Bragg, with his unique view of the broad sweep of social and cultural history, understands this in all its many dimensions. He succinctly lays out the details of Tyndale’s life, achievements and legacy, and vividly shows us the man’s genius, his passion and his “heroic innocence” in the face of Henry VIII’s tyranny. Thus he humanizes the story of the English and their Bible. In short, it is one of the greatest stories of individual sacrifice for the greater good in the history of the world. - Dr Ian Mortimer FSA, FRHistS, historian and writer It’s is a terrific read, and really hits the spot – everything the non-specialist needs to know in a readily accessible format. - John Guy Eloquent…brilliant and very moving. - Paul Cartledge, Emeritus Professor of Greek culture, University of Cambridge An enjoyably pacey read. - Times Literary Supplement Bragg has established himself over the past decades as a fearlessly dedicated, popular educator. - The Sunday Times Our most trusted intellectual interpreter. - Evening Standard
