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NGfL CYMRU GCaD How important was the translation of the Bible? In 1588 a Welsh Bible was published. The full translation was the work of scholar and priest William Morgan. The question is why was this such a significant event in Welsh History? Study the sources to try and find out.

NGfL CYMRU GCaD Why was the Welsh Bible so important? (1/5) What does the source tell you about the importance of the Welsh Bible? Questions (2/5) What evidence supports what you say? (3/5) What are the strengths of the source? (4/5) Can you say what the weaknesses of the source might be? Adapted from the book: ‘Cymru a’r Tuduriaid’ (Wales and the Tudors) by the academic historian J. Gwynfor Jones [1993] (5/5) What else would you need to know to help you understand how important the Bible was? One of Elizabeth I’s problems was defending her kingdom from foreign attacks. She worried that Catholics would attack her via Wales, especially in a time of crisis. The problem intensified in 1585 following the war between her and the king of Spain, Phillip II. Translating the Bible in 1588 was very important to the Church of Elizabeth. William Morgan … believed his priority was to turn everyone in Wales toward the Protestant faith. One of Elizabeth I’s problems was defending her kingdom from foreign attacks. She worried that Catholics would attack her via Wales, especially in a time of crisis. The problem intensified in 1585 following the war between her and the king of Spain, Phillip II. Translating the Bible in 1588 was very important to the Church of Elizabeth. William Morgan … believed his priority was to turn everyone in Wales toward the Protestant faith. Source A Help

NGfL CYMRU GCaD (1/5) What does the source tell you about the importance of the Welsh Bible? Questions (2/5) What evidence supports what you say? (3/5) What are the strengths of the source? (4/5) Can you say what the weaknesses of the source might be? Taken from the BBC Wales website giving summaries of Welsh innovators in North East Wales. (5/5) What else would you need to know to help you understand how important the Bible was? In 1563 an act of Parliament was passed allowing the translation of the Bible into Welsh. It is thought that this was done not in an attempt to preserve or encourage the language but in the hope that Welsh people would find it easier to learn English if they had copies of the Bible in both languages. In fact the Act is said to have led to the preservation of the language and William Morgan's 1588 Bible was to become the most important publication in the history of the Welsh language. Source B Help Why was the Welsh Bible so important?

NGfL CYMRU GCaD (1/5) What does the source tell you about the importance of the Welsh Bible? Questions (2/5) What evidence supports what you say? (3/5) What are the strengths of the source? (4/5) Can you say what the weaknesses of the source might be? Adapted from the book: ‘Cyfnod y Tuduriaid’ (The Tudor Period) by the academic historian W. Ambrose Bebb [1939] (5/5) What else would you need to know to help you understand how important the Bible was? Translating the Bible into the Welsh Language was extremely important not simply to confirm that all the Welsh population were Protestant. It also ensured that the Welsh people would not support a foreign invasion by Catholics, such as the Spanish or the Irish. As stated by R.T. Jenkins in his book, the new Bible was very much welcomed within Wales - the Protestants and supporters of the Queen were satisfied. Everyone would be able to hear the Bible in their churches each Sunday. Certainly, the Bible was one reason why Elizabeth’s church were victorious over her enemies. Translating the Bible into the Welsh Language was extremely important not simply to confirm that all the Welsh population were Protestant. It also ensured that the Welsh people would not support a foreign invasion by Catholics, such as the Spanish or the Irish. As stated by R.T. Jenkins in his book, the new Bible was very much welcomed within Wales - the Protestants and supporters of the Queen were satisfied. Everyone would be able to hear the Bible in their churches each Sunday. Certainly, the Bible was one reason why Elizabeth’s church were victorious over her enemies. Source C Help Why was the Welsh Bible so important?

NGfL CYMRU GCaD Some Welsh people were attempting to keep the Catholic faith alive throughout the reign of Elizabeth I. Two of these people were executed for attempting to murder Elizabeth. Many Welshmen came to the country to be Catholic priests. Many prominent Welsh people realised that the majority of the Welsh population disliked the Protestant faith – they believed it to be a foreign religion in a foreign tongue. Therefore, great importance was placed on producing a Bible in the mother tongue of the people. Hence the translation of the Bible into Welsh in 1588 was of key importance. Now, the Welsh people could hear God’s word in Welsh in their churches each Sunday. Publishing the Welsh Language Bible was the most important event in the rise of the Protestant faith in Wales throughout the Tudor period. Some Welsh people were attempting to keep the Catholic faith alive throughout the reign of Elizabeth I. Two of these people were executed for attempting to murder Elizabeth. Many Welshmen came to the country to be Catholic priests. Many prominent Welsh people realised that the majority of the Welsh population disliked the Protestant faith – they believed it to be a foreign religion in a foreign tongue. Therefore, great importance was placed on producing a Bible in the mother tongue of the people. Hence the translation of the Bible into Welsh in 1588 was of key importance. Now, the Welsh people could hear God’s word in Welsh in their churches each Sunday. Publishing the Welsh Language Bible was the most important event in the rise of the Protestant faith in Wales throughout the Tudor period. (1/5) What does the source tell you about the importance of the Welsh Bible? Questions (2/5) What evidence supports what you say? (3/5) What are the strengths of the source? (4/5) Can you say what the weaknesses of the source might be? Adapted from the book: ‘Hanes Cymru yn y Cyfnod Modern Cynnar’ (The History of Wales in the Early Modern Era) by the academic historian Geraint H. Jenkins [1983] (5/5) What else would you need to know to help you understand how important the Bible was? Source D Help Why was the Welsh Bible so important?

NGfL CYMRU GCaD (1/5) What does the source tell you about the importance of the Welsh Bible? Questions (2/5) What evidence supports what you say? (3/5) What are the strengths of the source? (4/5) Can you say what the weaknesses of the source might be? Taken from the website 100welshheroes.com. The site is run by Culturenet Cymru whose role is to promote Welsh culture. (5/5) What else would you need to know to help you understand how important the Bible was? William Morgan’s translation appeared in 1588 – the same year the Spanish Armada sailed for Britain- and was the Tudor equivalent of a publishing sensation. The thousand copies originally printed were later supplemented with a second edition and a shorter ‘Little Bible’ began appearing in Welsh homes from William Morgan’s translation appeared in 1588 – the same year the Spanish Armada sailed for Britain- and was the Tudor equivalent of a publishing sensation. The thousand copies originally printed were later supplemented with a second edition and a shorter ‘Little Bible’ began appearing in Welsh homes from The William Morgan Bible was as significant in Wales as the King James Version – which it predates by 23 years- was in England. It was used to teach successive generations how to read and write and the power of its language continues to resonate through the centuries. William Morgan’s translation appeared in 1588 – the same year the Spanish Armada sailed for Britain- and was the Tudor equivalent of a publishing sensation. The thousand copies originally printed were later supplemented with a second edition and a shorter ‘Little Bible’ began appearing in Welsh homes from William Morgan’s translation appeared in 1588 – the same year the Spanish Armada sailed for Britain- and was the Tudor equivalent of a publishing sensation. The thousand copies originally printed were later supplemented with a second edition and a shorter ‘Little Bible’ began appearing in Welsh homes from The William Morgan Bible was as significant in Wales as the King James Version – which it predates by 23 years- was in England. It was used to teach successive generations how to read and write and the power of its language continues to resonate through the centuries. Source E Help Why was the Welsh Bible so important?