Exhibition of Historic Bibles in the Crypt, The Halls, Norwich

The collection was first displayed in Bramerton to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. The exhibition starts with a simple explanation of ancient writing (Hebrew and Greek) and how these have evolved. It shows how the Old Testament Jewish scriptures were written and preserved, including a photocopy of the Isaiah scroll found in 1947 in caves near the Dead Sea, hidden for nearly 2000 years.
The Leningrad Codex, dated AD 1008, is one of the earliest Hebrew Old Testament Jewish Bibles still preserved today. A facsimile of this is displayed.
William Tyndale was the first to translate the New Testament from the original Greek into English. A copy of his small pocket Bible of 1526 will be displayed. There are three copies of the Geneva Bible, the earliest dating from 1560 - this was the first English Bible that was generally available for purchase. The next-oldest Bible is a Rheims Bible from 1582. The earliest King James Bible we have commemorates the 14th year of Charles 1st.
Many other editions in the collection will be on display, ranging from miniature Bibles, Queen Mary’s Bible, Active Service Bible, and foreign editions.
Free literature will be available that tells the story of the Bible with guides to reading it.
Activities: There is a covered seating area in the adjacent Bekets Chapel where short talks about the Bible may be held if the weather permits

Timings

Tuesday 15 September:

10:00-16:00 exhibition

Location & directions

St. Andrews & Blackfriars Halls, St. Andrews Plain, St. Andrews Street, Norwich, Norfolk, NR3 1AU

Contact on day:

Duncan

Telephone number:

+447447300484

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

The Crypt at St Andrew’s Hall (part of The Halls, Norwich) features step-free access and accommodates wheelchair users. Because it is located within a 15th-century medieval complex, some areas have historic quirks or thresholds, but the venue provides lifts, ramps, and a supportive team to help you navigate comfortably. There is a drop-off area at St Andrew's Plain and access will be via the South Porch entrance. The closest blue badge parking is St. Andrew’s multi-storey car park. The Halls are also being opened to the public & tours will be available on Sunday 13-Wed 16 September.

Additional information

This exhibition was originally created to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, but has been extended to include copies of much older manuscripts of Jewish scriptures, information about early writing & earlier English translations right up to the latest modern English and foreign language versions. This year it has an additional focus on William Tyndale, who first translated the New Testament of the Bible into English and gave his life to that end as he was burnt at the stake as a heretic who had said: "I will cause a plough boy to know more of the scriptures than the Pope".

Max number of people:

25

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s)

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