God's Outlaw (1986)

[bunniefuu]

Speak child,
show us your great learning.

Mama...

You have nothing to fear

But god's wrath, my little one,
so speak.

Our father...

Yes? There is more.

Our father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done as in heaven,

So on earth.

Give us day by day
our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins:

For we also forgive everyone
that is indebted to us...

Enough!

I most solemnly
forbid you, child,

Ever again to speak the creed,
the lord's prayer,

Or the ten commandments...
In english!

We need hear no more.
The men will burn.

But of our great
compassion and mercy,

The widow will be spared,
to provide for this brood -

After we
have taught them afresh

The godly ways of the church.

See that she
is safe home mourton.

Take the rest away.

William, where have you been,
it's late.

Forgive me, lady anne.

There is nothing to forgive -
but you have a visitor.

For me?

Come and see for yourself.

He will be dining with us,
and from the look of him,

I would say his
appetite is dulled

Only by his eagerness
to see you.

A friend?

That I will tell you,
and no more.

Are you familiar with
the name thomas poyntz?

No sir.

A merchant in london,
kinsman to my wife,

A cousin or some such.

Now he is a man
of your persuasion -

Talks endlessly
of erasmus and luther

And the 'new learning'
as he calls it.

London is some miles
from cambridge, sir john.

I know that...
But the world grows smaller

With the passing of the days,

And the world of learning
grows larger within it.

Why even here in
the cotwolds we...

John!

William!

At last!

Indeed 'at last'.

A man could die
for want of nourishment.

Lady anne says
you will stay to dine.

And not to dine only, but also
to lodge a night or two.

Say you will.

I will.

"But sire," I said,

"Your horse is the largest
in all england.

If hannibal
had owned such mounts

He would have taken rome."

To me it was a jest
but to the king a challenge.

"Very well, then sir,"
he bellowed,

"We will change
mounts and race again."

And did you?

Aye, I must obey the king -
but there's the rub.

Though it were politic to lose,

Ought I to lose
on the fastest,

Finest horse in all england?

What say you?

If you win,
you injure the king.

If you lose,
you injure his horse.

Surely, it were
better to lose.

Aye, well we raced and I won -

And the king clapped me
on the shoulder and said

"You will be my champion."

Though the king
was but seventeen years of age.

And I but twenty two
and half as strong as he.

What would you
have done william?

Lost or won?

Neither one nor the other.

Between me and a horse,

I like a large cart
or a long distance.

(William)
he is a good and kind man.

But his children
have no need of a tutor!

(John) perhaps in years
to come, but now...?

So what would you
have me do?

Return with me,
you have much to give,

Encouragement to offer.

You have faith and wisdom.

Why would you rob us of that?

Why rob yourself
of the fellowship?

And the wheelwright?
The blacksmith? The ploughman?

Are they better robbed?

What of this man here,
where will he find christ?

Will the priests show him,
or the friars?

They are as lost as he,

Praying to the saints with words
beyond their understanding.

So you will remain?

Here on the edge of the world,
to teach the ploughman?

Moses was 40 long years
in the wilderness

Before he knew
what god would have him do.

Before I would teach his word
I must learn it.

And then?

It was in the language
of israel that the psalms

Were sung in the temple
of jehovah.

Why should the gospel
speak to england in latin

The language of ancient rome?

I shall bring the scriptures
to england

For englishmen to read.

And the lord god spoke
through his prophet jeremiah

And said that a horrible
thing had happened in the land.

The prophets prophesy lies,
he said,

And the priests rule
by their own authority.

And this was israel,
god's chosen people,

Plucked from
the bondage of egypt

And brought
to the promised land.

The priests ruled
by their own authority!

And what can we say
of england, now?

What can we say of our coarse
monks, our greedy priests,

And our pompous prelates?

Theirs is not the gospel
of christ but a trade -

And a profitable trade at that!

Think of it.
They want money for everything:

They want money for baptisms,
money for churchings,

Money for weddings,
for buryings,

For penances for soul masses,
for chalices, for bells...

Those are for
the glory of god.

Would you so cheapen
salvation as to offer it

Without a sacrifice?

As the psalmist declared,
the sacrifices of god

Are a broken spirit
and a contrite heart.

Would this man mock me
before this crowd?

You poor sheep!

The parson shears,
the vicar shaves,

The priest scrapes,
the friar pares...

All we lack is a butcher
to tear off the skin.

Why are the prelates
dressed in red? Huh?

It is meant to show that
they are ready every hour

To suffer martyrdom for
the testimony of god's word.

For god's word!

If any man here so much as
utter one question concerning

God's word they are ready
every hour to burn him!

He must be stopped!

Behold, the day is come,
saith the lord god,

When I will bring
a famine in the land.

Not a famine of bread,
not a thirst for water

But of hearing the words
of the lord.

They are looking to trap you
william - and they shall.

You must take care.

Yes.

People have been b*rned, william.

Simple, good, honest folk.
b*rned. And for what?

For teaching their children
the lord's prayer.

In english!

Does it not trouble you?

They shall have
a better resurrection.

They taught their children
the lord's prayer

And were b*rned.

You would give the nation
the whole scripture!

What will they do to you?

Do you have no fear?

Yes, and I most fear him

Who has the power
to destroy the soul.

Nothing I say
will change you.

I would ask only that
you walk carefully.

Archegos...the first one...
The beginning one.

The one who makes it begin...
The beginner.

The beginner and finisher
of our faith!

(William thinking)
if I say beginner
and finisher,

The reader will believe there
is an ending to our faith,

When to our faith
there is no ending.

Teleiotes is one
who completes,

But not one who ends.

Teleiotes is a fine craftsman
who completes his work.

A poet, perhaps, who having
brought his art into being

Now brings a perfect...
Finish...to it.

And archegos?

The beginning one...
The creator?

The author!!

The author and finisher
of our faith.

Let us run with patience
unto the battle

That is set before us,

Looking unto jesus the author
and finisher of our faith.

William... Forgive me,
I startled you.

You seem troubled.

I have a letter for you.

It carries the seal
of the archdeacon.

Bad news?

I would think so.

For some time now there
has been criticism of you

Among the priests and friars.

I fear what john bell
will have to say.

Let us read it and learn
what we have to fear.

I am summoned to appear
before the archdeacon

To answer a charge of heresy.

How will you answer?

Mr. Tyndale, you have been
accused of heresy,

In argument,
in logic and in divinity.

And I will answer the charges
if you can bring

Just one witness to show
where I have erred.

I will testify that you did
spread out the scriptures

Nakedly before the people.

And I will answer that I did
expound the word of god

That they might find christ.

The word of god!

Why even we are unable
to explain it.

How then can
the common people?

It is a mystery only to those
who read it without christ.

That is why it is
an obscure book to you.

Nothing is obscure to us!

It is we who explain
the scriptures to you.

Then you are wasting both
your time and your trouble.

Far from explaining
the scriptures,

It is you
who have hidden them.

You who burn those who teach
them, why, if you could,

You would burn the very
word of god itself.

Enough! Please!
We are not here to debate.

Mr. Tyndale, it is written
in the scripture

That the people should be subject
to the rulers

And authorities and should
obey the magistrates.

What you are doing
is outside the law of england.

If you deny that law

It follows that
you deny the scriptures.

I would therefore ask, first,
if you offend the law,

Can any good come of it?
However well you mean?

Secondly, I would councel

That though he have friends
in high places,

Even sir john walsh
is not above the law.

And, thirdly, I would
charge you most solemnly,

That when you go
from this place,

You will obey the law -
and speak no more heresy.

Now go...

You pray to the saints.

You make images of them.

You light candles to them.

If these images
can see and hear,

Perhaps they hunger also...

Ahh!

And if they hunger,

Why do you not make
their bellies hollow

And put food
and drink inside?

Jest is ill-becoming
in one so young.

His mind is full of invention.

And profanity.

Would you make a mockery
of sacred images?

No more would I than
did the prophet isaiah.

He wrote of the man
who cut down a tree

To light a fire
to make some bread.

And when he
was warmed and filled

He took the remains of that
wood and carved an image.

Then he fell before it
and worshipped, and said:

You are my god, deliver me.

Did isaiah laugh
when he wrote that?

Did isaiah write that?

You are a priest,

Tutored in the classics
at cambridge university.

If you, learned as
we supposed you are,

Schooled in greek
and latin and divinity,

Practiced in the arts
of debate and contention -

If you cannot
understand isaiah

Or the scriptures
you so imprudently expound,

How then can
the ignorant laity?

The blacksmith, the weaver,
the ploughboy?

Those who count
upon their fingers

And look to us
to guide them?

One moment, doctor.

As our lord said:

'Hotan de althe ekeinos,
to pneuma tes..."

Oh spare us,
spare us!

I acknowledged
your learning.

Must you parade it
before us?

I thought perhaps translation
might cause offense.

Your very presence at this
table causes offence -

Which we endure
for the sake of our host

And our
gracious hostess...

If our lord spoke,

Would it not be better
to hear it in english?

Would that all england
could hear if in english.

Damn your impertinence!

What did he say?

When he,
the spirit of truth is come,

He will guide you
into all truth.

And that, young tyndale,
is what the spirit does -

Through the church!

But the church
has so many persuasions.

One man follows duns scotius,
another thomas aquinas,

Another bonaventure.

If all these learned men

Are in contradiction
one with each other,

How can we know right from
wrong - but by god's word?

God's word says "if think eye
offends thee, pluck it out."

Give the scriptures
to ignorant men

And they'll soon be tearing out
their own eyes hither and yon.

We'll be a nation
of blind men.

Without god's word,
we are a nation of blind men.

But without
the help of doctors,

God's word is too hard
to understand.

And that is to measure
the yardstick by the cloth.

There are as many doctors
as there are pieces of cloth,

But only one yardstick
of scripture.

By what should
we measure that?

By the pope!

The pope, whom god has set
on earth in direct succession

From the apostle peter.

The pope through whom god
administers truth and justice!

The pope! The pope!

And what if the pope
is at variance with god's laws?

Then it were better
to do without god's laws

Than the pope's.

Well, young sir,
what do you say to that.

I defy the pope
and all his laws.

If god spares my life, I will
see to it that a ploughboy

Shall know more
of the scriptures than you do.

Forgive me, lady anne,

I will not sit at table
with blasphemers and heretics.

No more shall i.

No, please wait...

I will not spoil the meal.
I shall go to my room.

You will stay where you are.

I shall conduct you to my door.

Your hospitality is renowned,
your table unsurpassed,

And we thank you
for your kindness.

Take heed young man.

There are fires on earth
and there are fires in hell.

Take care that the one

Is not needful
to spare you the other.

Forgive me, lady anne.

Oh william...
What can I say?

If your life were not
so above reproach

It would be easy.

No man's life
is above reproach.

But I'm afraid.

Afraid for you,
for myself, for my children.

Is your position
not secure?

John is a friend
of the king.

At his coronation
he was his champion.

But the king
is ruled by many things -

His counsel, his chancellor,
his passions,

The sight of his face
in the glass...

Nobody is secure.

Well done young william.

We are well rid of them.

It was not
my intention to...

Don't tarnish it by telling me
what your intentions were.

You have more learning
in your little finger

Than all those doctors
could ever hope for.

I was much amused.

But, the fox is now
among the chickens

And soon the feathers
will fly.

They will not forgive you,

And I cannot
promise you protection.

So, would you have me leave?

No, no, no.

If you can defy
the pope himself,

I can defy
a few untutored clerics.

If your god would
have you stay,

Then I'll not bid you leave.

How can I help you
young william.

What troubles you?

The scriptures speak with one
voice, but older men than i,

And wiser,
seem to speak with another.

Then they are surely wrong.

But make no mistake, not all
within the church are wrong.

England has its witness.

I wish that england
had the scriptures.

Then do it.

It is within your gift.

Within my gift,
yet without the law.

Unless you have
the authority of a bishop.

But what bishop in england

Would defy the authority
of the pope.

There is none.

But one, at least, is known
to have befriended erasmus.

Cuthbert tunstall!

Go to the bishop of london.

If god will have you prosper
then you will prosper.

But take care what you say.

He has a broad mind,
but others have not.

If it is seen that you are
of an evangelical persuasion

It could cost you dear.

This is a letter
of introduction

To sir henry guildford -

Controller of
the king's household.

If you wish to meet
bishop tunstall...

Sir john,
I wish for nothing more.

If he will only see me
and grant me license...

See him you will,

But sir henry cannot
move the bishop's mind -

You must do that.

Thank you, sir john.

This is the address
of my cousin, thomas poyntz.

His house is small, but you
will be very welcome

Until you find accommodation.

If the bishop's
palace perhaps.

You are very kind.

You have brought joy to our
house for the past two years.

Now it will seem
very empty.

God be with you william.

William, may I introduce
humphrey monmouth.

Humphrey is a merchant
and a scripture man.

William was tutor
to my cousin's children

In gloucestershire.

Your good name
has gone before you.

Where are you lodging.

With thomas and his wife -
until I can find a room.

Then you need look no further.

My house is large -

Any man who preaches as well
as you is welcome in it.

We are many, but careful.

That man there,
what do you see?

A man with the strength
of an ox.

And the faith
of a little child.

Harry!

Thomas talks of your purposes -
of your leaning in greek -

That you would give
the scriptures to englishmen.

If god wills.

Would god will that
his word be not read?

Wycliffe translated
the scriptures,

But few in england have them.

Perhaps god would have us
hunger for his word

Before he feeds us.

The people are hungry now.

Look...

Luther.

It is good it is precious,
and the word is in it,

But it is not the word.

Do many books come
to england like this?

Secretly, aye.
By the score.

But I say again,
we are careful.

Men have b*rned
for less.

Message, sir.

William, it's come -
word from tunstall.

The bishop will
see you tomorrow.

Thank god!

Perhaps you are right,
humphrey.

Perhaps now the people
are hungry enough.

Ah, tyndale, come in,
come in - sit down.

Thank you, your grace.

Sir henry guildford
has shown me this.

An oration of isocrates,

Translated from greek
to latin. Is it yours?

It is, your grace.

It speaks well
of your learning.

As, indeed, sir harry speaks
well of your conversation

And godly manner.

What do you
require of me?

I would enter your employ,
as chaplain, your grace.

And pass your time
in scholarly pursuits

And classical translations.

You have a gift for language
I cannot deny.

What may I ask,
commend me to you?

Erasmus speaks of you

As the first englishman
in greek and latin.

It was through the greek
testament of erasmus

That I found christ.

Then erasmus
should be commended.

Tell me, if you were
to be found in my employ,

What work of translation
would you undertake? Latin?

That of the testament,
your grace...

From greek to english.

And for that you would
require my patronage,

My episcopal authority.

Yes, your grace.

Yes...mmm...
A worthy work.

Not every priest has the same
gift of language as you and i.

And most would profit
from an understanding

Of the scriptures.

I would wish the testament
to be read by everyone,

And not by the clergy only.

In time perhaps.
In time.

Consider the seasons, young tyndale -
how they change.

Winter turns to summer slowly,

Through the many shades
of spring.

The people are hungry
for the word of truth now.

That same
word of truth declares

That meat is not for babes

But for those who
are strong enough to bear it.

When the church
has grown to manhood

Then shall we feed them.

The scripture also urges
that we should desire

The sincere milk of the word
that we might grow thereby.

We do not
starve a baby of milk

Because it cannot eat meat.

You argue well, and I agree
with much of what you say.

Moreover, there are many
within the church who would,

I believe, welcome a...
Gentle change.

But...
You know of course,

Of wycliffe
and his lollard followers?

And you have considered
well how the laity

Took hold of the scripture and
used it to dishonor the church?

I do not hold
that the scripture...

There was disorder, civil
disobedience and godlessness.

But the apostle said god's
word was quick and powerful -

And our lord himself declared
that he had come to bring

Not peace, but a sword...

I am sorry.
My house is full.

I have already more
people than I can employ...

However, I am sure that
if you look about london

You will not fail to meet
with suitable employment.

Ah, now here's
a question... William?

William, you must work.

To what end?

I have amused you?

You are a mere man.
That is good.

There have been times when
I thought you to be an angel.

William...can the bishop
of london stand in the way

Of god's will?

What is god's will?

His will is his command -
and his command

Is that we should preach
the gospel of christ.

It avails nothing if the word
is offered in a foreign tongue.

There are other
bishops with authority.

Ekklesia.

Those who
are called out.

You have used the
word 'congregation'.

Yes.

Yet the meaning would
signify 'church'.

And 'church' would signify
the multitude of shaven,

Shorn and oiled,
which we now call the clergy.

The word 'ekklesia'...

'Ekklesia'...

Is common
to all the congregation

Who believe in christ.

Forgive me.

Where are you going?

To speak with humphrey.

He has made approaches
to certain printers.

You would print
without a license?

After tunstall there
is none who would grant it.

Shall a mere license
stand in the way of god's will?

I am grave, william.

I have passed the day
talking to printers,

Every man in london
who prints.

I have been a nuisance
to all of them.

Are they all
without faith?

By no means.
Some are with us.

But not a man, will print the
scriptures without authority.

And if there be none in london,
there is none in england.

Then I shall go to germany
and print it there.

If luther's books
can find their way to england,

So shall mine.

Come, will, you've read it
a dozen times or more.

And still I am not happy.

That is because you are
of a contentious disposition.

And because your translation
argues with itself.

Whilst living most agreeably
with the greek.

Come, peter quentel
is expecting us.

How can it live most agreeable
with the greek -

When to one greek word

You ascribe several
english meanings?

Why in one place,
does 'idou' mean 'behold',

And in another it means 'lo' -
and yet again 'look', or 'see'?

What greek word would you
use for 'behold'?

Idou.

And for 'lo'?

Well, 'idou', but...

And would you choose
differently for 'look',

Were the sense the same?

No...

Then the translation is sound
and the reading of it enriched.

If we are faithful
to god's word

We have no cause to weary
those who would read it.

The english have a language
which is rich and beautiful

And blessed
with infinite variety.

Why then can we
not use it all?

Good morning,
herr quentel.

If you say so
mr. Tyndale.

Though I printed just this
morning that the days are evil,

So we should redeem the time.

You read my translation?

I could scare
print it otherwise.

It is an affliction I must bear
if I would pursue my trade.

Mr. Quentel, every blessing
is to you a cause for complaint.

Where is your morning's work?

Under those sacks there, concealed.

If you want
your books displayed,

You should work in hamburg,
not in cologne...

And rob you of good trade?

Or wittenberg.

There are many cities
in germany

Which would welcome
your heresies.

I stayed nigh
on a year in hamburg,

And wittenberg was where

I met my good and faithful
friend william roye.

Good day to you, sir.

And the 'heresy' of which you
speak is the gospel of christ.

So you say, sir.

But I shall trust my priest.

He is, like me, a good
craftsman who charges little.

And christ is the
master craftsman

Whose work is offered free.

Are these now finished?

Done but nor dry, sir.

Oh...

Mmm...it reads well:

Though I speak with the tongues
of men and angels

And yet have no love,

I were even as a sounding brass
or a tinkling cymbal.

And though I could prophesy
and understood all secrets

And all knowledge...

Yea, if I have all faith

So that I could move mountains
out of their places...

And yet had no love,
I were nothing.

And though I bestowed all
my goods to feed the poor,

And though I gave my body
even that I b*rned

And yet have no love,
it profiteth me nothing.

Love suffereth
long and is courteous.

Love envieth not.

Love doth not forwardly,
swelleth not,

Dealth not dishonestly,

Seeketh not her own,
is not provoked to anger,

Thinketh not evil,
rejoiceth not in iniquity,

But rejoiceth in the truth,
suffereth all things,

Believeth all things,
hopeth all things,

Endureth all things.

Though that
prophesyings fail,

Other tongues shall cease
or knowledge vanisheth away;

Yet love falleth never away.

For our knowledge
is imperfect

And our prophesying
is imperfect,

But when that
which is perfect is come:

Then that which is imperfect
shall be done away.

When I was a child
I imagined as a child:

But as soon as I was a man
I put away all childishness.

Now we see in a glass
even in a dark speaking,

But then shall we
see face to face.

Now I know imperfectly:

But then shall I know
even as I am known.

Now abideth faith, hope
and love, even these three.

But the chief
of these is love.

Senator rincke,
I fled frankfurt

Because the heretics there
were running wild.

Forgive me if I seem
a little nervous.

Nervous? Of me?

I have an aged mother
and a small niece

Still in frankfurt.

You need not
fear for them.

This is cologne,
herr cochlaeus.

We have been spared
the lutheran madness

And so long as there is breath
in my body, so shall we be.

Now,tell me, what is this
you have learned?

Two englishmen
are here in this city.

This the work on which
they are engaged.

Fine craftsmanship.

What is it?

It is a letter of st. Paul
to the corinthians.

I found this sample
in the printing works

Of peter quentel.

By chance?

By chance I spoke
with certain employees

Of herr quentel and one,
with a little too much wine,

Was indiscreet.

How indiscreet?

He said that whether
the king and cardinal of york

Wish it or not, all england
will soon be lutheran.

England?

Never!

He said that soon
every englishman

Will have the scriptures
in their native tongue.

And they will have
them from cologne.

That they will not!

Where is this printing
works of peter quentel?

Will!

Will! We have minutes
only to be gone.

Away from here!

Why?
What has happened?

They have found us!

Hurry! We must go!

Who has found us?

Herman rincke.

Then who betrayed us?

It matters not.

But the books...
The manuscripts.

We must go
to the printers...

I have all we need.
Hurry!

They are at the very doors!

These...
Outside under the sacks...

And you -
do the same with those.

And hurry please.
There isn't very much time...

There is no time at all,
herr quentel...

Please, leave everything
as it is.

So herr quentel,
who commissioned this...

This perfidious work?

Herr quentel, is not
the loss of your trade enough?

Would you also
lose your liberty?

Perhaps...
Perhaps your life?

His name
is william tyndale.

William tyndale...
Hmmm.

Suddenly, wolsey, suddenly -
not subtly or insidiously,

But suddenly -
we have the scriptures...

In english...everywhere!

Suddenly wolsey,
we have a rage of bishops.

Suddenly wolsey,
we hear of the world's end -

And I am not
told of it!

Why?

Is it because
I am only the king?

Is my majesty
so light a thing?

Who is william tyndale?

Some low-born priest sire.

And is this the same
'low-born priest'

Of whom my ambassador to spain
warned me twelve months since?

Yes.

And is this the same
'low-born priest'

Who, it is said,

Had undertaken to translate
the whole of scripture?

The same.

And where is my command that
he be found and stopped?

I have men even now in france
and germany and flanders

Who have not paused
in their search for him -

Without success.

He moves from
place to place.

Printing the scriptures
on the back

Of a traveling mule,
perhaps.

Eh thomas? Hah!

It is not a subject
for jest sire.

You would tell me
it is no jest?

What blind,
half-witted man

Have you commission
to make the search?

John hackett.

Oh, john hackett!

And where
has john hackett looked?

Wherever tyndale has been
sighted or word of him reported.

Hamburg, cologne, worms,
marburg, even wittenberg...

Wittenberg?

Yes.

He is in league
with luther?

Without question.

Then he is indeed a heretic.

You will find him
and you will burn his books.

You will arrest him
and bring him to me.

Come, thomas.

I want to talk to you.

Have you come to play?

No anne,
I have come to talk.

You would do better to play.

Your brow
has a solemn line to it.

The world
is a solemn place.

Go on, go on, you play.
I shall watch and be amused.

Her youth and beauty
touch me.

So much is evident.

And her nature too.

Her smile.. Her laughter...
Her innocence.

They do nothing
to you thomas?

Were I to let them.
I am a married man.

Am I not?

Do you seek
to reprove me?

It is not my place
to reprove any to save myself -

Which I do often.

I also, but a shirt of hair
would make me itch

And it is scare seemly for
a king to be a-scratching.

Would you reprove me
for my shirt of hair?

I merely wish you would
cease from scratching.

It is no more seemly
for a privy councilor

Than it is for a king.

What of this man
tyndale's testament,

Is the translation sound?

It has errors in it.

Tunstall would say
three thousand.

How he can tell I know not -

He does not
have so many fingers.

The errors
are not so many.

But the book is evil?

Evil will cometh it.

Why?

Oh, come, thomas,
you are my friend.

I repay your honesty
with mine own.

In my ignorance and folly
I cannot see how a mere volume

Can cause so much hurt.

Men will think,
having the scriptures,

That they have the truth -
but this is an illusion.

Will you say
the scriptures are not truth?

Aye, they are.

But they're like a chart.

And though a man
have a seaworthy vessel

And a chart
in his own tongue,

If he does not
have a sailor's knowledge

To interpret the chart
his vessel is lost.

Scripture is
a weighty matter.

Men need the wise counsels
of the church to understand it.

But you read it, thomas,
in greek and latin,

Which are as familiar
to you as english.

Do you understand them?

In part.

In part! In part!

But you are sir thomas more!

If you should only
understand in part,

Where is the man
who would understand in full?

Perhaps there is no man, but
the full body of the church...

I have a problem
with catherine my wife,

Who can bear me no child.

I have a problem
with anne boleyn,

Who can bear me a son,
an heir to the english throne,

But I cannot
take her for wife...

Such matters are not within
the compass of my scholarship.

And I have a problem
with moses,

Who wrote,
in the scripture:

That if a man shall take
his brother's wife,

It is an unclean thing
and they shall be childless.

Well, I took my brother's wife
and I am without a son.

How would you interpret
the scriptures?

I am not a theologian.

You are a scholar thomas,

Whose learning
is second to none.

How should i...
I interpret the scriptures?

I would counsel you to seek
the opinion of learned doctors,

Even of his holiness
the pope.

The pope!

How do you think
william tyndale would answer?

Now that sir,
you must ask him.

There is much
I would ask him.

I want him found.

I am a merchant william,
my business brings me here.

By what good providence should
commerce bring you to marburg?

I looked for you,
and I found you.

And if i, then it could be
that john hackett

And all the king's agents
are not far behind.

You found me humphrey
because you are my friend,

And known as such,
and because god wills it.

What news do you bring?

Good and bad.

The new testament is spread
throughout all england,

But everywhere it is b*rned
by the express command

Of wolsey and the king.

In burning it they are
doing only what I expected,

And so shall they
if they burn me, too.

If they find you william,
they will burn you, too.

For men like us, england
is not a happy place to be.

[Chains rattling]

Come on...get...

John frith,
I am unhappy that you,

Of all men,
should treat me ill.

Lord cardinal, it is I who
am brought from a dungeon.

Did I treat you ill,
or is it the other way about?

I set you in my own college
here in oxford,

To work for the glory of god.

And before god
and this company

I declare that such
is my only goal.

If such is your goal,

Why do you journey down a path
that leads to perdition?

Luther's heresy...
Tyndale's heresy.

The new testament of our
lord christ is not heresy,

My lord cardinal.

It is a translation!

Unlawfully made
by a poor scholar

Whose heart is far from
the grace of god.

It is a true translation,
faithfully made by

One of the finest
greek scholars of our age,

A man whose heart bears
the stamp of christ himself.

And this you know!

This I know.

Then seeing
you know the man so well,

Perhaps you will persuade him
to come before us

And answer
certain questions.

Of his whereabouts
I know nothing,

Other than that he is abroad.

John frith, are you aware
that in this realm

I am the pope's representative?

That I make all decisions
concerning religion

As though I were the pope?

I know that god
has given us the scriptures.

Decide what you will, my lord,
but I shall stick with them.

Take him away!
I'll hear no more of this.

Would god that I had my hands
on tyndale's scrawny neck.

It is everywhere.

From the highest
to the lowest.

The more we burn,
the more they appear.

And now this... 'The obedience
of the christian man'.

It is a plague
and an infection.

Yes.

So, if fire will not destroy
this heresy then your pen must.

Your grace, the law will not
permit me to read heresy,

Much less debate it.

Let us not
play games thomas.

You will have a license
to read whatever you will.

Moreover, I myself
will pay you -

Five thousand pounds
to make an answer.

Five thousand pounds!

Why, I could live like
a prince for several lifetimes.

I shall see to it.

No.

I shall take up my pen
against tyndale

For the glory of god
and his church,

And I'll not take
a penny for it.

If you believe the promises,
then god's truth justifies you,

That is, forgives your sins

And seals you
with his holy spirit.

If you have true faith,
so will you see the exceeding

And infinite love
and mercy which god has...

Anne...come here.

I thought she would
stay forever.

Richard!

You must not be here!

My mistress...
And the king is with her!

They've gone -
they've gone...

But they may return!

And if they should find you...

Just one kiss,
that's all I ask.

But richard...!

Just one kiss.

And I hold
this book to ransom.

Give it to me!

Just one kiss.

The book is lady anne's.
She...

And be quick my love.

Go! Hide yourself! Now!

Come, you must help my dress.

The king is going
to take me riding.

John!
May god be praised!

Come in!
Come in!

How did you escape?

Not escape, brother.

We were set at liberty,
i, betts, sumner, radley...

Others...

Set free?

Has the good lord
touched the cardinal's heart?

Wolsey? He could no more
bear the stench of death -

And his cause is delicate
enough, these days...

So I have heard.

And too many scholars
have already d*ed at his hand.

But enough.
I am free.

God has dealt
kindly with me.

Tell me news of william.
You saw him?

Aye.

He is well in mind and body
and filled with the spirit.

Though all the continent
it seems, would do him harm.

And the work?

Goes well.

Soon we shall have the books
of moses, if god wills it.

I must go to him.

Now?

Yes, as soon as I am able.

If you found him
then so shall i.

But why?

There is work
yet to be done here.

None that is so important.

And what can I do here?

I dare not utter
a single word.

We must be careful,
aye, but...

Careful!

Men, women, and children, all
from the highest to the lowest,

Are arrested
and b*rned for reading

And believing the truth -
much less for uttering it.

We must examine the teachings
of the church by scripture,

But understand
the scripture

By means of what
the church says.

You ask if the air
gives light to the sun,

Or the sun to the air?

Is the gospel
before the church,

Or the church
before the gospel?

Is the church
before the gospel

Or the gospel
before the church?

(Thinking)
I tell you,

The romish church from which
the lutherans came out

Was before them,
and therefore is the right one.

Who are you?
What do you want?

What letters and books have you
lately received from abroad?

Lately? None.

Very well, what aid have
you given to any persons

Living on the continent?

None, for more than
three years.

William tyndale aboded
with me six months -

And his life was what
a good priest's should be.

I gave him ten pounds when
he left, but nothing since.

Where is tyndale now?

I do not know.

In the course of trade,
I met him once in marburg,

Some months since, but he
departed thence soon afterward.

So you have news of him?

Only that he was shipwrecked
and all his works were lost.

Where he is now
I cannot tell.

And miles coverdale?

Is it not true
that even now coverdale

Is somewhere collaborating
with tyndale

In translation
the books of moses?

I know nothing of coverdale.

If what you say is true then
you are better informed than i.

And what of these?

They have been openly on my
table for more than two years.

I have never heard
that any priests,

Or friars or laymen learnt
any great error from them.

You cannot put a dry stick in
the fire without its burning,

Nor can you nourish
a snake in our vest

Without its biting you.

You stand accused
of having maintained

Those who are translating
the scriptures into english,

Of having bought
martin luther's tracts,

Of having imported them into
the kingdom and, lastly,

Of having said that faith alone
is sufficient to save a man.

What is your defense and plea?

None of this will I deny.

I have no defense,
but I will plead.

I am a merchant.

What will become
of my workmen

If I am cast
into prison or burnt.

They must have money
every week-

And whose to pay them?

Also, consider that my trade
brings in large sums

To his majesty's customs.

If I am not here,
that commerce will stop.

Set him free.

Trade carefully merchant.

The apostles taught by mouth

Many of the things
they did not write,

In order that they should
not come into the hands

Of the mocking heathen...

You ask whence comes penance.

Praying to saints
and purgatory...

(Thinking)
I marvel that you should

Except it be a plain point
that you go straight to hell.

And you say
you love this boy?

I do indeed my lord.

Then let it be said,
her love for you,

Together with my love
for the lady anne

Have conspired to save you.

For if petition from each
had not come before me,

You would have been nothing but
kindling for wolsey's fires.

I am most humbly
and deeply grateful, my lord.

And so you should be.

Now go.

Yes, sire.

And read no more heresies!

My lord.

So, then, what the volume that
so nearly cost a boy his life?

This, my lord.

Read some to me.

Kings must make account
of their doings only to god.

No person can be exempt
from this ordinance of god;

Neither can the profession
of monks and friars or anything

That the popes and bishops
can lay for themselves,

Except them from the sword
of the king

If they break the laws.

For it is written,
let every soul submit himself

Unto the authority
of the higher powers.

Excellent! This is truly
a book for kings to read -

And for me particularly.

Now who wrote this?

William tyndale.

Then I shall read it
and we will talk some more.

Ah, tyndale...would that he
were by my side in these times.

He must be found.

Thank you.

You are stephen vaoughan?

Yes.

And you carry letters
from the kings of england.

Who are you?

I have been sent by someone

Who calls himself
a friend of yours.

Someone who desires
very much to speak with you.

Who is this friend?
Where is he?

I do not know him,
but if you come with me

You will see for yourself.

Why should I trust you?

Why should you not?

Why should I deceive you?

That is a question
I should ask.

Your friend says that you
have been here

In antwerp four long months
and accomplished nothing.

How does he know this?

He has many friends
here in the city.

He asked me to tell you that
you could stay

For another four and twenty,
except that you follow me.

I have not paid for my ale.

It will be done.

Do you not know who I am?

I am william tyndale.

The king would have
you return to england.

The king does not know
what he asks.

I can offer only
the word of god -

Small comfort to a man
who would put away his wife,

Be he king or commoner.

But his quarrel with rome...

Is not my quarrel.

But if you have
a common enemy,

What does it matter if you
have not a common cause?

So long as that
enemy is vanquished?

The king's mind
is for rome.

His heart
is for anne boleyn.

His quarrel
is with himself.

For me, heart and mind,

I must care only
for the word of god.

Then use the occasion
for the word of god!

Come to england.

I have warned his majesty of
the subtle ways of the clergy.

I am a loyal subject
of the king

And I want him
to know this.

Then come to england.

Here, I suffer hunger,
thirst, cold,

The bitter absence
from my friends -

Hardship and
continual danger.

But believe me,
these matter nothing to me

If I do honour to god,

True service to the king
and am of good worth

To his people.

God knows I am not afraid
to die and be with christ,

But how shall
my work prosper

If I am tied
to a stake and b*rned.

You will be safe.

Say as much to wolsey.

Wolsey is dead
and cromwell favors you.

And thomas more
is chancellor

And would gladly lose an arm
to gain my neck.

Ask what guarantees you will,
and the king will grant them.

Such promises
need not bind him.

The clergy will persuade
him that I am a heretic.

So you will not return?

I would...

But I cannot.

If I am unable
to persuade you,

Why, then did you
agree to meet me?

To protest my loyalty
to the king...

And to ask you
to give him these,

That he might read them.

The night is drawing in and
soon the city gates will close.

We must go
our separate ways.

Shall we meet again?

God be with you.

(Thinking)
my lord secretary cromwell...

'...declare unto your majesty
what, in my poor judgment,

I think of the man,
I do assure your grace

That I have never spoken
with a man who is more...'

I don't want to know what
he thinks of him, cromwell.

Vaughan thinks
too well of him by half.

I have read this, all.

Tyndale's disputation
against my lord chancellor,

And I tell you this:

It is full of lies,
sedition and calumny.

Then your majesty
has changed his opinion?

My majesty has indeed!

Listen to this...this...
Report from your 'agent' -

This is what tyndale
would say to me. To me!

The king!

What impudence the man has.

"If you would condescend...
Condescend,

To permit only a bare text
of the scriptures

To circulate
among the people,

I would bind myself
never to write again.

I would throw myself
at your feet,

Offering my body
as a sacrifice,

Ready to submit if necessary
to t*rture and death."

And at least he knows
what he may expect.

But much of what
tyndale writes and speaks

Could work
to your own advantage.

I would beg to remind
your majesty that you admired

His scholarship
and wanted him to return.

And not I want him
to stay away.

He is a perverse and hardened
character who cannot be changed.

I am only too happy
that he is out of england.

I shall find another scholar -

Another hundred,
and better ones at that.

It is a pity, your highness,
that john frith

Should be among
the sectarians.

Ah! John frith.
Who on earth is john frith?

He is a man
greatly distinguished

In sciences and letters.

He too, holds
certain opinions

Which may give comfort
to your majesty.

I would beg to tell you,
lord secretary,

That tyndale
is no coward, but...

Yes, yes,
I do not doubt it...

But when his own brother is
paraded about face on a horse

And branded a heretic by none
less than the lord chancellor...

Yes, yes,
it was impolitic, but...

How then can
I persuade the man

That his safe conduct
is assured?

A problem.

Or that a return to england
would be to his advantage?

Vaughan, listen to me.

The king has
wearied of tyndale.

He has?

He strongly desires the
reconciliation of john frith.

Frith?

Who, he believes, is not so
far advanced as tyndale

In his evil way...

Evil?

And the king,
always full of mercy,

Is ready to receive him
to favor.

So try to attract him.

Charitably...politically.

Indeed...

This is a cause
for sadness, thomas.

What does your resignation
say to me?

That high office demands
of a man high counsel -

Which I cannot give.

Nothing more.

I think there is more.

I think you would tell me
you are a man of conscience,

And you cannot
serve two masters.

My lord, I rejoice
in serving two masters.

I serve you as my king

And I serve him
who is master of us both.

Thomas...thomas,

You can not agree
my divorce from catherine

And this is how
you have chosen to tell me.

And how will you
spend your time -

In disputation and writing?

And poverty.

Then go.

Thomas...
You're a reproach to me!

And would you go
to england?

Yes.

John...there is no man
on earth I love so much as you.

No one in the lord
who can accomplish so much

Of what I hope
and pray for.

And shall I accomplish it here,
in a foreign land?

Just be happy to accomplish
it at all, wherever it may be.

Nothing awaits
you in england...

Than you have suffered here.

What awaits me in england
is no worse and no less

Than you have suffered here.

You have been hungry,
cold, persecuted -

Shipwrecked even...

And with all spent many years
away from those you love.

What can england do to me

That the world
hasn't done to you?

John, you have a wife here.
You have work here.

You ask me
what england can do?

Ask those who can
answer no more.

Ask bilney, ask tewkesbury,
ask bayfield...

Yes, and as once
you said to me,

They will obtain
a better resurrection.

If god gives me strength

I shan't flinch
from the scaffold.

William I go to england,
not because henry requires it,

But to spread
the gospel of christ.

And how will you spread
the gospel from a scaffold?

How many men will hear you?
What good will come of this?

I must go up
to jerusalem.

As god wills it.

(Thinking)
dearly beloved brother,

Be cold, sober, wise,
and circumspect.

Keep you low by the ground,
avoiding high questions.

Expound the law truly,
and open the veil of moses

To condemn all flesh
and prove all men sinners.

Then set abroach the mercy
of our lord jesus,

And let the wounded
consciences drink of him.

Beloved in my heart,
there liveth not one

In whom I have so
great hope and trust

And in whom
my heart rejoiceth.

Not so much for your learning
and whatever gifts you have,

As because you walk
in those things

That the conscience may feel,

And not in the imagination
of the brain.

Do you not hold that
the natural body of christ,

His flesh, his blood,
his bones,

Are contained under
the sacrament

And are there present
without any figure of speech?

No...i do not.

(Tyndale's writing continues)
cleave fast to the rock
of the help of god,

Stand fast and commit
yourself to god.

He is our god
and his is the glory...

As the sheep bound by the hand
of the butcher with timid look

Begs that his blood
may soon be shed,

Even so do I pray my judges
that my blood be shed now,

If by my death the king's
eyes should be opened.

(Thinking)
dearly beloved,
fear not men that thr*aten,

Nor trust men that speak fair.

Your cause
is the gospel of christ,

A light that must be fed
with the blood of faith.

You are not alone.

Follow the example of all
your other dear brethren

Who choose to suffer in hope
of a better resurrection.

Bear the image of christ
in your mortal body

And keep your conscience
pure and undefiled.

Your wife is well content
with the will of god

And would not for her sake
have the glory of god hindered.

As our lord jesus
wept over jerusalem,

Will he now weep over england -
will he weep for those

Who k*ll the prophets and burn
them which are sent to her?

Will he gather
the children of england

Even as a hen gathers
her chickens under her wing?

I'm not a scholar,
william,

But it seems to me
that in a good family,

The children
trust their father -

Even when they don't understand
the wisdom only years can bring.

Aye.

And sometimes,
mrs. Poyntz, a good mother

Can say the right word
to a faithless child.

Who knows, even now,

What the good lord
prepares for his people.

You know who I am?

Yes your grace.

You are stokesley,
bishop of london.

And what do you
know of me?

That you are wise
and charitable and...

Do not lie to me!
You know no such thing.

Tunstall was wise and
charitable, kind and good.

I am wise.

Charity is something
I use sparingly,

And not on rogues like you.

No, your grace.

Now, I shall recount
such that I know of you.

You are harry phillips,
thief, liar, a villain

And a reproach
to your father.

Now, tell me, what common
ground is there between us?

There can be none,
your grace,

Between a rogue such as I
and your good self.

Oh, you fawning
pitiful creature.

I shall tell you.

What think you of these...

'The obedience
of the christian man',

'Practice of prelates',

'Parable of the wicked mammon',

'The new testament'...
In english?

They are to be despised,
your grace.

And their author?

He should be put
to the flames and b*rned.

There! We have common ground between us.

Tell me why do you think,
does william tyndale yet live

And work and infect this
happy island with his poison?

Because he is crafty
and conceals himself well.

So then, his capture requires
a man of equal craftiness.

Yes, your grace.

Such a man are you.

You will find him, arrest him,
and bring him to me.

But your grace...

Or I shall find for you
the darkest, coldest,

Wettest cell in all london,

And that is where
you will end your days.

Yes, your grace.

Thomas more...
How are the mighty fallen.

I am as near to heaven
here in the tower

As I would be in my own home.

Thomas, I am your friend!

And the king is a good and
gracious lord towards you.

That has never
been in dispute.

Then say as much.

I have, and do.

Thomas, an act of parliament

Has proclaimed
the king's supremacy.

He is the head of the church.

I have not uttered
a single word against it.

And not a single word for it.

Your silence
condemns you.

That's what
they'll say.

It's treason, thomas.

If I must die,
the executioner will do no more

Than open the gates of heaven for me.

I shall die for my faith
in the catholic church

And as a good servant
of god and the king,

But to god first of all.

In youth,
all the days are summer.

We rode together as boys,
don't you know.

But now the summer is over

And I can only
look back fondly.

You are a rare
and true friend, john.

So also
was thomas more.

John!

No, no, let him be,
prove my point.

Who but a true friend
would be so bold?

None, but a friend
of one's youth.

Thomas was a friend indeed.

He lost his head
for reason's of state -

But I loved him dearly.

Tell me, did not
william tyndale

Lodge here in years past?

Yes, a long time ago.

He was tutor to our children.

How was he then?

How was he?

Well, I have read
all that he has written.

It seems to me
such wondrous words

Speak well of the man
who wrote them.

It seems to me that you are
at variance with your master.

She is my wife, dammit.

What other than that she
would be at variance with me?

William tyndale was,
and still is, a man of courage,

Wisdom and infinite kindness.

So I deemed him to be.

Is still, you say?
You know him still?

By report.

He lodges with a cousin,
thomas poyntz.

You know the place?

He lives abroad -
we don't know where.

My cousin is a merchant,
a traveler.

He may have shared a lodging
at some time of business,

But nothing more.

You know, I often think
the crown is heavy,

When my friends
do not trust me.

Master tyndale?

One moment sir.

Please take him.

God be with you.

Sir?
I am harry phillips, sir.

Come to acquaint
myself to you.

Phillips...phillips...

I heard you preach
this morning, sir -

A word, if I may say,

Full of truth and power and
much to the glory of christ.

The word was his own.

I was reading from paul's
letter to the church at corinth.

But in english!

I am a student
at louvain.

There the word
is held in contempt.

I travel here as often as I can
to listen and learn...

Yes, now I recall -
phillips!

The merchants
have spoken of you, highly,

And of your interest
in the word.

Believe me, my brother, I
cannot begin to tell of the joy

Brought by
the freedom here.

Everyone speaks
of christ without fear.

The city profits
by the english trade,

So therefore
we are safe enough,

And left in peace when
close to the merchants houses.

And what of lodgings?

Are there any near
the merchant's house?

William!

Thomas!

Harry, this is my good
and close friend

Thomas poyntz...
And mrs. Poyntz.

Welcome to our home.
We have heard much of you.

And I of you.

You are no less
handsome a woman

Than was assured me
by william.

William!

(William)
her price is above rubies.

(Thomas)
have you been in antwerp long?

Just a short time.

I find the city
full of english merchants,

All followers of the gospel
and strong in the word of god.

And such a one
is harry -

His outspoken favor
of the gospel goes before him,

Though I fear he is rather
more courageous than cautious.

The truth
deserves boldness -

Though it shames me to say so
to someone like you.

William,
these have arrived.

Ah! These volumes...!

You are familiar
with them?

As with my own face.

But I never thought
providence would favor me

With knowing their author.

If I may make so bold,
I have prepared a meal -

If perhaps you would like
to come through.

Madam, it is written
that angels have appeared

In the guise of men.

I perceive that not men only,
but also women.

William, how well do
you know this man?

Why do you ask?

I cannot say...
Can we trust him?

Thomas, of course!

How can you think ill of him?

He seems to be a man of quiet
manners and godly behavior.

Let us go and dine.

Thomas, speak to him,
tomorrow.

Let him earn
your confidence.

[Thunder]

You do well to speak
of the dangers of antwerp.

A man could be drowned and
carried away in such a flood.

Ah! The rain will stop,
believe me.

Tomorrow,
it will be fine.

But the enemies of the gospel
will still be with us.

If you are to return
to the city,

You'll be advised
to take a guide.

Return I must.

I have several
purchases to make.

But tell me,
you speak of danger.

Does master tyndale not fear
that someone may be bribed?

A friend perhaps?

Master tyndale
thinks well of all men.

Such thoughts would
find no place in him.

I have much gold.

For what?

For my purchases.

Good.

Our friend is much
taken with the city.

It is old,
and there is suffering -

And one is always afraid that some
new plague will appear -

But god is here
and working out his will.

And you also.

I should like
to come with you -

To witness your preaching
and ministrations.

Then come,
there is always work.

And you thomas,
will you also join us?

Tomorrow I must sail
for london.

My business will
take me some time.

Then it is but you and i, william.

We shall be about god's work
in the morning -

And then we shall dine -
and at my expense.

Well, if that
is your wish.

It is, indeed it is.

One moment...

Here, my friend...

There,
it is little enough...

We ought to be for our neighbor
what christ was to us.

William! Harry -
now we thought we'd lost you.

Forgive me.

I paused only
to purchase this volume -

A gift for my tutor.

You seem to know this town
better than I do harry.

A morning's work done well,
and to the glory of god.

And by the grace
of god.

It is he who does the work
if we would but let him.

And so we
have earned our bread.

William...

I think
I have been robbed!

Robbed, harry?
Where?

Well, I don't know.

It doesn't matter,
I carried only a few shillings.

Except, I was
to buy you a meal.

I have money,
I will buy the meal.

God forbid!
It was my invitation!

Perhaps you will lend me
the money I have lost.

I will repay you
as soon as we return.

When you can, harry,
when you can.

I am doubly indebted
to you william.

Run, harry, run!
Save your self!

Yes, this is the man.
Take him away.

What have they done?
William!

And you, my love,
are you harmed?

They have taken him.

He searched.

He took his books...

I have done what I can.
I have written letters.

But thomas,
you have the king's ear.

His ear!

It is as well
that I do not have his gout

Or his ulcerated leg.

His ear at least is sound.

I do not jest.

Nor i.

The affairs of church
and state alike

Depend on henry's mood -

And that itself depends upon
the pain his body brings.

But you can speak with him.

He once thought
very high of tyndale.

He cannot so easily
alter his opinion.

He cannot?

You can ask him.

Yes, I can ask him.

No! No, no, no!

Your lady anne required
that I should ask.

When my lady anne
shall deign to bear a son,

Then shall
I hear her requests.

Till then,
tyndale can rot

And she can rot with him
for ought I care.

William tyndale,
the king of england

Has somewhat against you

For crimes committed
in that realm.

These do not concern us.

You have been arrested
and stand charged

With heresy in that:

First, you maintain that
faith alone justifies.

Second, you maintain
that to believe

In the forgiveness of sins

And to embrace the mercy
offered in the gospel

Is enough for salvation.

Third, you aver
that the traditions of man

Cannot bind the soul.

Fourth, you affirm
that neither the virgin,

Nor the saints pray for us
in their own person,

And fifth, you assert
that neither the virgin

Nor the saints
should be invoked by us.

How do you answer?

I answer thus, with a clear
conscience before god and man,

That I have never maintained,
affirmed, averred

Or asserted anything

Contrary to the plain meaning
of god's holy scriptures.

On these alone,
and these alone, I stand.

Would you say, then,

That faith alone justifies,
and not words?

The fruit that grows on a tree

Does not make
the tree good or bad.

It only makes known

Whether the tree is a good tree
or a bad tree;

And works do not
make a man good or bad,

They only make it plain
to other men

Whether he who performs
those works is good or bad.

A man is reconciled
before god by faith alone;

And works serve only to make
this justification

Known before men.

Such is the contention
for the apostle paul,

As it is written:

By grace are you saved,
through faith,

And that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of god,

Not of works,
lest any man should boast.

(Thinking)
to the marquies of bergen.

I believe, right worshipful,
that you are not unaware

Of what may have been
determined concerning me.

Werefore I beg your lordship,
and that by the lord jesus,

That if I am to remain
here through the winter,

You will permit to be sent
to me from my goods,

A warmer cap, for I suffer
greatly from cold in the head,

And am afflicted
but perpetual catarrh,

Which is much increased
in this cell.

A warmer coat, also,

And a piece of cloth
to patch my leggings.

And I ask to be allowed
to have a lamp in the evening.

But, most of all, I beg and
beseech your clemency

That you will permit me
to have the hebrew bible,

Hebrew grammar
and hebrew dictionary,

That I may pass
my time in study.

But if any other decision
has been taken concerning me,

To be carried out before
the winter, I will be patient,

Abiding the will of god,

To the glory of the grace
of my lord jesus christ,

Whose spirit, I pray, may ever
direct your heart. Amen.

Lord, open the king
of england's eyes...

(Narrator) when tyndale d*ed,
there were already two bibles

Circulating in england.

Each effectively contained
tyndale's translation

Of the new testament -
and much of his work

Had been used
for the old testament.

When one of them,
coverdale's version,

Was presented to henry viii,
he was assured by the bishops

That they could find
no errors in it.

Then, if there
be no heresies in it,

In god's name let it go
abroad among the people.

(Narrator) the following year,
his majesty authorized

A small phrase of immense
significance to be added

To the title page
of the english bible:

'Set forth with the king's
most gracious license'.

On september 5th, 1538,

Henry ordered
every church in england

To display 'one book
of the whole bible

Of the largest volume
in english'.

The whole bible,
printed in english

Was at the heart
of the reformation in england;

It remains as a memorial
to william tyndale

And an answer
to his dying prayer.