The Geneva Bible: A Publishing Enigma: Hall/Hill: A Collaborative Masterpiece
To handle an original 1560 Geneva Bible is a privilege of high order, especially for us at Soulton Hall who handle other aspects of the legacy of Sir Rowland Hill, and this is what happened on a recent trip to Lambeth Palace.
1560 Geneva Bible in Lambeth Palace Collection
This extraordinary artifact, bearing the imprint of Rouland Hall, is a link to a pivotal moment in the history of the printed word and religious thought.
The frontispiece of the 1560 Geneva Bible at Lambeth shows Rouland Hall (Rowland Hill) as publisher. The Hall/Hill rendering (if it is not just a young and poor use of italics) is considered a pun and a tribute to the shared effort of the project. The Matthew Bible, 1536, was also published with a name concealing the real publisher (who was a chaplain to Rowland Hill and the Merchants on the continent in any event).
To hold such a volume is to appreciate the immense courage and foresight of those who risked their lives to produce and disseminate this revolutionary text. Its influence on subsequent generations is immeasurable, and its legacy continues to shape our world today.
The Gate House of Lambeth Palace, related by design to Soulton Hall
