King James Bible
King James Bible: How it changed the way we speak
The impact of the King James Bible, which was published 400 years ago, is still being felt in the way we speak and write.
No other book, or indeed any piece of culture, seems to have influenced the English language as much as the King James Bible.
Its turns of phrase have permeated the everyday language of English speakers, whether or not they have ever opened a copy.
Phrases still with us
God forbid
Romans 3:4The powers that be
Romans 13:1No peace for the wicked
Isaiah 57:21One bible on display shows names of the Stone family - it was a common custom to enter family names showing dates of birth, marriage and death.
The bookplate illustrated above, in a bible printed in 1773, shows that it is a gift from Henry Hoare, Esq who died March 12, 1724.
Henry Hoare bought the old Stourton family estate and manor house in 1717. Stourton Manor was demolished to make way for Henry’s new home, one
of the first country houses to be built in the new Palladian style. He
named it ‘Stourhead’.
Henry Hoare, known as "The Good", 1667-1724, was a leading philanthropist in his day. He was a founding father of the Westminster Hospital which was established in 1719 as a charitable society
"for relieving the sick and needy at the Public Infirmary in
Westminster". It was the first hospital in England, sustained by voluntary subscriptions, to provide free medical care and accommodation for the poor in its parish.
Henry was a pious man and a staunch Anglican. In his will he set up the Henry Hoare Bible Fund with £2,000 for the purchase and free provision of Bibles, Books of Common Prayer and other religious works in ‘the English Tongue’. The Fund is still in use today.
Stourhead House (National Trust) has a photocopy of a codicil to his Will which confirms this (handwriting difficult to read). –£2000 for erecting and encouraging Chantry Schools or Workhouses for the Poor or for the benefit of the same; -£2000 for the purchase of Lands or Heriditaments, or put out at interest upon real …….. or the public funds and the yearly rents or profits to go and be applied to the purchasing and giving away Bibles in the English Tongue and Books of Comon Prayer now used by the established Church of England and to the printing, publishing and dispersing of such other Books in the English Tongue as are entirely agreeable to the principles and Doctrine of the Church of England and most conducive to the advancement of Christian Fair and piety in the World.
If the interest on the principal does not meet the demands of a particular design to promote the true faith then the Trustees have on discretion to apply further funds not to exceed the sum of three years interest.
Seven Trustees to manage the said intended Charity. Trustees for both Charities to meet twice a year on midsummer and St Thomas’ Day. 50/- to be provided for their entertainment. Have discretion to apply in to other charitable uses.
Trustees: Jane Hoare, Henry Hoare, Richard Hoare, Henry Cornelison, Paul Foley, Benjamin Hoare, Revd Dr William Upton, (prebendary of Durham Cathedral), Revd Mr Mullard of Box near Bath, Revd Mr Francis Fox of Potterne, Mr John Skeate of London, Brazier, & Mr Robert Witham of London, Vintner (or survivors). Non family members paid £50 for their trouble in managing the said Charities.
Sources: National Trust, Stourhead.
Wikipedia.