He  entered  into  a  bitter  controversy  with
Sir  Thomas  More  (q.v.),  and  translated  the
Pentateuch.  In  1531  Henry  vm.  made  some
overtures  for  his  return  to  England,  and  when
he  declined,  demanded  his  surrender  from  the
Emperor,  and  that  failing,  endeavoured  to
kidnap  him.  He  left  Antwerp,  but  returned
in  1533,  and  remained  there  for  the  rest  of
his  life.  In  1534  John  Rogers  (q.v.)  arrived
in  Antwerp,  was  converted  by  Tyndale,  and
helped  him  in  his  translation  of  the  Old
Testament,  of  which  he  completed  during  his
life  only  the  Pentateuch  and  the  Book  of
Jonah,  but  there  is  reason  to  think  that  he
left  a  manuscript  translation  of  the  historical
books  down  to  Chronicles.
In  1535  a  young  Englishman,  Henry
Phillips,  by  professing  zeal  for  the  Reforma-
tion and  personal  regard  for  Tyndale,
decoyed  him  from  his  house  and  handed  him
over  to  the  Imperial  officers.  Great  efforts
were  made  for  his  release.  The  English
merchants  petitioned  Henry  vm.  on  his
behalf,  and  Cromwell  (q.v.)  wrote  letters  to
the  president  of  the  council  and  the  governor
of  Vilvorde  asking  them  to  use  their  influence


(605  )


Udall]


Dictionary  of  English  Church  History


[Uniformity


in  his  favour.  He  was  tried  for  heresy  and
condemned  to  death.  His  execution  took
place  on  6th  October  1536.  According  to
Foxe,  his  last  prayer  was:  'Lord,  open  the
King  of  England's  eyes.'

He   will   always   be  remembered   for  his
translation  of  the  Bible,  though  he  did  not


live  to  finish  it.  His  style  was  direct  and
forcible  and  his  rendering  substantially
accurate.  His  version  formed  the  model  of
that  of  1611.    [Bible,  English.]

[o.  p.  s.  c]

Foxe,    Acts    and    Monuments ;     Gairdner,
Lollardy  and  the  Reformation,  ii.
