Title
page to the Great Bible, "The Byble in Englyshe," first published
in 1539. This definitive edition of 1540 contains a prologue written by Thomas
Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. Henry VIII, seated enthroned beneath a diminuative
God the Father, is depicted as Supreme Head of the Church of England. He distributes
copies of the Bible to Cranmer and Cromwell, who in turn pass them on to the
bishops and great lords. The Bible is heard, but not read, by the acclaiming
crowds in the lower portion of the page.
