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Taverner, Richard

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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a learned and pious layman, was born at Brisley, England, in 1505. ‘ He is said to have studied at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and afterwards at Oxford, and then law in the Inner Temple. Having been appointed one of the clerks of the signet in 1537, he held that office until the reign of queen Mary. He was a friend of the Reformation, and, in order to promote it, undertook a new translation or edition of the English Bible (Loud. 1539, fol.). It was dedicated to the king and allowed to be read in the churches; but in 1545 the Romish bishops committed him to the Tower. He was, however, soon released, restored to the king's favor, and elected a member of Parliament in 1545. Taverner's edition of the Bible is a correction of what is called Matthewe's Bible, many of whose marginal notes are adopted, many omitted, and others inserted by the editor. On the accession of king Edward, Taverner, although a layman, received a special license in 1552 to preach throughout the king's dominions, from which he was obliged to desist upon the accession of queen Mary. He resumed his preaching when Elizabeth came to the throne, and, besides receiving other commissions, was made high sheriff of Oxford County in 1569. He died July 14, 1575. Besides his Bible, we have the following list of his publications: The Sum and Pith of CL Psalms of David, etc. (Lond. 1539, 8vo): — The Epistles and Gospels, with a Brief Postill, etc. (ibid. 1540, 2 pts. 4to): — Fruit of Faith, etc. (ibid. 1582, 12mo): — The Garden of Wisdome, etc. (ibid. 1539,2 bks.): — Flores aliquot Sententiarum ex Variis Scriptoribus (translated from Erasmus): — Catonis Disticha Moralia (ibid. 1553, 8vo; 1555, 4to): — In Mimum Publiasnum Lib. I (ibid. 1562): — Catechismus Fidei: — Proverbs, or. Adages (ibid. 1545, etc.). See Masters, History of Corpus Christi College; Ward, Gresham Professors; Newcombe, English Biblical Translations; Chalmers, Biog. Dict. s.v. (See AUTHORIZED VERSION).