We recently noted that a key historical work was not represented in the Lady Margaret Hall (LMH), Oxford University, library collection and felt compelled to contribute this facsimile. We have therefore donated a facsimile of the 1560 Geneva Bible to the college for the use of students and academics.
It is our hope that this addition will quietly and usefully support the extensive research and learning undertaken at LMH, giving students and scholars access to its critical features without endangering a fragile original.
The Geneva Bible matters because it is a cornerstone of the English language and a revolutionary political and religious text of the 16th and 17th centuries:
Reformation and Empowerment: Created by Protestant exiles, it introduced verse numbers and, crucially, extensive marginal notes that gave lay readers the power of interpretation, democratizing religion and fuelling the Reformation.
Shaping English Prose: Its clear, vigorous translation style contributed fundamentally to the development of modern English and was the Bible familiar to William Shakespeare.
Constitutional Foundations: Its politically potent notes subtly challenged monarchical authority, making it the preferred text for the Pilgrim Fathers and a foundational document for the earliest ideas of self-governance that shaped the United States constitution.
The text is also firmly associated with the legacy of Sir Rowland Hill, of Soulton.
This gift is framed by a century-long relationship between Soulton Hall and LMH, built on shared values regarding education and historical preservation. We have always admired LMH’s essential role in expanding educational opportunity. As the first Oxford college to admit women, and continuing through its vital Foundation Year programme for under-represented students, LMH exemplifies a profound commitment to intellectual inclusion.
This spirit of quiet initiative is reflected in our own history, particularly through Hannah Deakin of Soulton Hall. In 1847, she showed foresight in commissioning the Soulton Dancing Pavement to preserve a cultural record for posterity. Her dedication to ensuring the continuity of history—especially through the actions of women—resonates strongly with the work of LMH.
The text itself — an influential document of the Reformation, a foundation for modern English, and a guide for the earliest constitutional thinkers– is a most fitting presence in a library dedicated to illuminating knowledge and fostering critical thought.
We sincerely hope this facsimile proves a valuable and lasting resource for the LMH community.
The donation was given with a book paper with the following text:
Geneva Bible Facsimile (1560)
This gift of a Facsimile of the 1560 Geneva Bible to the Fellows and Scholars of Lady Margaret Hall is presented by Timothy Ashton (Jurisprudence, 2008).
The donation is made from Soulton Hall, Shropshire, the historic seat of Sir Rowland Hill. The continuity of the College link is highlighted by the donor’s grandmother, Winifred Bone (LMH alumna), who also historically cared for Soulton Hall.
This facsimile provides the Library with a key research tool due to the Bible’s distinct historical importance. Tudor Publishing Connection: Sir Rowland Hill (d. 1561), whose family resides at Soulton Hall, was a major patron and is considered by many the publisher of the original 1560 Geneva Bible.
This was William Shakespeare’s main scriptural source, printed 51 years prior to the King James Version. It is essential for studying the vocabulary and allusions present in Elizabethan literature.
The 1560 edition contains influential marginal annotations advocating for limitations on monarchical power. This commentary establishes the text as central to understanding the origins of Anglo-American political thought and its link to the Pilgrim Fathers and the American Founding.
Sir Rowland Hill is widely considered the historical basis for “Old Sir Rowland” in Shakespeare’s play, As You Like It, providing a unique link between the text’s patron and its influence on the stage.
This facsimile is a valuable resource for scholarship in jurisprudence, history, and English literature at Lady Margaret Hall.
