Greetings Listers one and all, Way back on October 4th, 1535 the first full translation into English of the bible was released in Switzerland, of all places. A fellow named Miles COVERDALE did much of the work from latin and Dutch, so it seems. Now this had me to wondering... I can't seem to find just when the first French version was printed. Seems to me that if one wanted to risk life and limb for a good cause then those who could read should run down to the book shop and purchase a copy. (no Tony wasn't in business back then) No darn good if it is latin, although I guess back then latin wasn't a dead language at all. But that's not the point is it now ? Us folks who done learned this readin an ritin thing might be ok in latin but sure as heck would be more inspirational if it was in French. That being said, someone must have sat down with a nifty Bic and jotted down the entire text in French, but who was he and when did he ? Probably Jean CAUVIN himself, but then again he might have been too busy writing up the psalms and all. Hmm wait a minute, wasn't that the other fellow, Clement MAROT ? I say that as I am now confusing myself (yes all you student types I should go look it up first) I am now thinking that it wasn't psalms that CAUVIN ( see surnames in capitals like a good boy) was into translating, he came along and did that psalter thingie jingie with BEZE and BOURGOIS. (now, now, listerettes don't go demanding equal time here, the lil women folk weren't all that keen back then on being inside with a candle at the writing desk.) While I am at it, ever wondered who said "Paris is worth a mass" and when he said it and why ? I gave you a hint, it was a him :) So if you know then let us all know when was the first copy of the bible translated into French, printed and made available to the masses ? Kind Regards, Peter Leroy

Peter: So if you know then let us all know when was the first copy of the bible translated into French, printed and made available to the masses ? Probably not for "the masses", but I undestood that Jacques Le Fevre d'Estaples did the first translation into French-as-was. Le Fevre's translation, and others, were used in the preparation of the so-called "Geneva Bible" of 1560 (in English), which in turn formed the basis for the Bishops' Bible of 1568, which was the primary *English* source for the King James text of 1611. Good info here: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/iss/library/speccoll/exhibitions/bibleex/eurbib. html