The Book of Common Prayer

The Texts of 1549, 1559, and 1662

Edited by Brian Cummings

Oxford World's Classics

A unique edition of the Book of Common Prayer that brings together 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 twentieth century.
The first edition for the common reader, regardless of religious background, providing full notes and a comprehensive glossary of vocabulary and technical terms.
The full text of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, and the full divine services for the 1549 and 1559 texts; all texts freshly edited from original copies, preserving much of their original appearance, orthography, and punctuation, with limited modernization to aid the modern reader.
The Introduction explains the historical significance of the book and the controversial process by which it was put together and revised, the changes to the text from the Reformation to the Restoration of Charles II and the 1662 version, and the significance of the book for everyday life and the history of the English language and its literature.
Two appendices, one with material unique to the 1552 Book of Common Prayer, the other with ancillary material from the 1662 text, including the 39 Articles of Religion and the service for the King's Healing.
A Note on the Texts explains the complex printing history and the principles of this edition.
A Note on Music explains this aspect of the performance of the liturgy in England.
Full Explanatory Notes include historical discussion of the origins of baptism, communion etc, the controversial meaning of gestures, words etc and the doctrinal and political arguments which have accompanied the different versions.
Comprehensive Glossary covering difficult vocabulary, changes in historical meaning, and technical terms in liturgy and theology.

The Book of Common Prayer

The Texts of 1549, 1559, and 1662

Edited by Brian Cummings

Description

'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.

About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum 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, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

The Book of Common Prayer

The Texts of 1549, 1559, and 1662

Edited by Brian Cummings

Oxford World's Classics

Introduction
Note on the Texts
Note on Music
Select Bibliography
Biblical Abbreviations
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, 1549
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, 1559
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, 1662
Appendix A: The Black Rubric, 1552
Appendix B: Additional Orders of Service, Articles, and Tables 1662-85
Explanatory Notes
Glossary
Index of Services and Orders

The Book of Common Prayer

The Texts of 1549, 1559, and 1662

Edited by Brian Cummings

Oxford World's Classics

Author Information

Brian Cummings received his BA at Cambridge University, where he also took his PhD under the supervision of the poet Geoffrey Hill and the church historian Eamon Duffy. He was previously a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge before moving to Sussex, and, from October 2012, the University of York. He was a British Academy Exchange Fellow at the Huntington Library, California, in 2007 and held a three-year Major Research Fellowship with the Leverhulme Trust from 2009 to 2012.

The Book of Common Prayer

The Texts of 1549, 1559, and 1662

Edited by Brian Cummings

Oxford World's Classics

Reviews and Awards

"[I]f this edition makes the prayer book texts available to--and appreciated by--more general readers, it will have served its admirable purpose." -- Catholic Historical Review

"Magnificent edition" --Diarmaid MacCulloch, London Review of Books

"Superb edition...excellent notes and introduction" --Rowan Williams, Times Literary Supplement

The Book of Common Prayer

The Texts of 1549, 1559, and 1662

Edited by Brian Cummings

Oxford World's Classics

From Our Blog

The origin and text of The Book of Common Prayer

Despite itsÂ controversial history, theÂ Book of Common Prayer is anÂ influential religious text andÂ one of the most compelling works of English literature. How has this document retained its relevancy even after numerous revisions? What can it teach us about British history and the English language? We spoke with Brian Cummings, editor of the Oxford World's Classics edition of The Book of Common Prayer, about the importance of this text.

Posted on June 8, 2013

Read the blog post