Because James had been raised under Presbyterian influences, the Puritans had reason to expect James to champion their cause. Scotland's James VI succeeded her, thus becoming James I of England. The Puritans were eager to continue the Reformation's work, and Elizabeth's death seemed their opportune moment. Her rule had provided a great sense of security and stability for her country. The Puritans MiscalculateĬonsider the mood that must have prevailed at Queen Elizabeth's death. There was no continuous cycle of election campaigns in their world as there is in ours. In their world, the crowning of a new monarch was a grand event that profoundly affected the life and identity of the nation. Their world moved much slower, and continuity was prized over change. Theirs was not a world like ours where speed, change, and innovation are consciously cultivated and thoughtlessly celebrated. Imagine what it was like to live in England in 1604. To understand what happened, we need to go back to the world of the early 17th century.

However, the story behind the creation of this Bible translation is little known and reveals a fantastic interplay of faith and politics, church and state. Even today, many consider the King James Bible the ultimate translation in English and will allow none other for use in church or personal devotions. It has decidedly affected our language and thought categories, and although produced in England for English churches, it played a unique role in the historical development of America. The King James version remains one of the most significant landmarks in the English tongue. The commissioning of the King James Bible took place in 1604 at the Hampton Court Conference outside of London.

Bible and history timeline