Letting English Words Stand: Thomas More, William Tyndale and the Common Expression of English Theology*

Keywords

William Tyndale, English Theology, Thomas More, Bible, Translation

Abstract

In 1532, the first half of the Confutacyon of Tyndale’s answere made by syr Thomas More knight lord chauncellour of England was published. The second half followed a year later, though by that time More (1478–1535) had resigned as Chancellor because it became increasingly difficult for him to support Henry VIII’s religious policies.1 The Confutacyon, half a million words in length, was More’s second publication in a written debate with William Tyndale (c.1494– 1536) that began in 1529 when More published A Dyaloge concerning heresies. In the Dyaloge, More discussed “the veneracyon & worshyp of ymagys & relyques / prayng to saynts / & goynge on pylgrymage.” He also addressed “many other thyngys touching the pestilent secte of Luther & Tyndale,” particularly Tyndale’s English translation of the New Testament. 2 Tyndale responded to the Dyaloge with An Answere unto Sir Thomas More (1531). In the Answere, Tyndale defended his New Testament and his theology. The Confutacyon was More’s response to Tyndale’s Answere.

Original Publication Citation

“Letting English Words Stand: Thomas More, William Tyndale and the Common Expression of English Theology,” Archive for Reformation History. Jahrgang 106 [December 2015], 92-114

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2015-12

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6478

Publisher

Degruyter

Language

English

College

Religious Education

Department

Ancient Scripture

University Standing at Time of Publication

Assistant Professor

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