In this episode of “Liana’s Favorite Books,” Dr. Liana Lupas takes you on a tour of the Douay-Rheims Bible, which was the first Latin Vulgate Catholic Bible translated into English.

With Protestant Queen Elizabeth I’s accession to the throne in 1558, Catholics in England became a persecuted group. Many Catholic clergy fled the country, and in the late 16th century, King Philip II of Spain opened an English college in modern-day Belgium. Its purpose was to train Catholic priests and send them back to England in secret. In addition, this college also sought to translate the Bible from the Latin Vulgate—the official translation of the Catholic Church—into English.

In 1582, the Catholic New Testament translation was completed in Rheims (France). Between 1609 and 1610, the two-volume Catholic Old Testament translation was completed in Douay (Belgium). Together, these three parts are known as the Douay-Rheims Bible. One of the most instrumental translators in this effort was Gregory Martin, an Oxford-educated scholar. Today, we can trace many words used in English to Martin’s translation work.

We hope you enjoy your tour of this historic Bible with Dr. Liana Lupas!