The Book of Common Prayer The Texts of 1549, 1559, and 1662 (Oxford World's Classics) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199645205 ISBN 13: 9780199645206

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2013

Synopsis

'In the midst of life we are in death.'

The words of the Book of Common Prayer have permeated deep into the English language all over the world. For nearly 500 years, and for countless people, it has provided a background fanfare for a marriage or a funeral march at a burial. Yet this familiarity also hides a violent and controversial history. When it was first produced the Book of Common Prayer provoked riots and rebellion, and it was banned before being translated into a host of global languages and adopted as the basis for worship in the USA and elsewhere to the present day.

This edition presents the work in three different states: the first edition of 1549, which brought the Reformation into people's homes; the Elizabethan prayer book of 1559, familiar to Shakespeare and Milton; and the edition of 1662, which embodies the religious temper of the nation down to modern times.

'magnificent edition' Diarmaid MacCulloch,London Review of Books

'superb edition...excellent notes and introduction' Rowan Williams, Times Literary Supplement
ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

About this title

Product Description:

The Book of Common Prayer This unique edition of the Book of Common Prayer includes the texts of three different versions, 1549, 1559, and 1662, to provide a panorama of the history of ritual in England from the Reformation to the present day. The first edition for the common reader, with full notes and introduction, this is one of the seminal texts of human experience. Full description

Review:

This book is an exemplary text ... the reproduction of the three different prayer books is immaculate, and the introductory commentary is original and thought provoking. (Marcus Harmes, Parergon - Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies)

magnificent edition (Diarmaid MacCulloch, London Review of Books)

superb edition...excellent notes and introduction (Rowan Williams, Times Literary Supplement)

About this edition

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0199645205
• ISBN 13: 9780199645206
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 896
• Editor: Cummings Brian