William Salesbury 1520? Llansannan, Denbighshire University of Oxford. Studied law in Lincoln s Inn Scholar and qualified lawyer. Layman, not a priest. He lived as a country gentleman in Plas Isaf, Llanrwst and administered his estates, having stolen, it is said, the inheritance from his nieces. In 1551 he translated the Epistles and Gospels of the Prayer Book into Welsh with the title Kynniver Llith a Bann In 1563 he supported the Act of Parliament which allowed the translation of the Bible into Welsh. In 1567 he translated the New Testament and the Prayer Book into Welsh. He had a great love and knowledge of Welsh literature and also Latin and Greek literature and language. Richard Davies helped in the translation of the New Testament but they later quarrelled, some say over the translation of one word. Gruffudd Hiraethog (the Chief Welsh Poet(Bard), Thomas Huet and Richard Davies. 1584? Place of burial unknown.
Thomas Huet?? Corpus Christi College, Cambridge Scholar and priest In 1567 when William Salesbury translated the New Testament into Welsh he translated the last part, the book of Revelation. William Salesbury and Richard Davies 1591
Richard Davies 1501? Probably Gyffin, Conwy since his father was Curate there New Inn Hall, Oxford Priest, scholar and statesman. He had to flee to Frankfurt during the reign of Mary. Member of the Council of Wales and Adviser on Welsh affairs to the Archbishop and to William Cecil (the chief minister to the Queen). Bishop of St. Asaph Bishop of St. David s With William Salesbury he was a major supporter of the Act of 1563 which allowed the translation of the Bible into Welsh. He helped William Salesbury in his translation in 1567. Founded Carmarthen Grammar School. William Salesbury, William Cecil 1581
William Morgan 1545 Tŷ Mawr, Wybrnant His early education was at Gwydir, home of the Wynn family, his patrons. Then at St. John s College, Cambridge Priest and scholar. University Preacher. (He may have preached before Queen Elisabeth). Bishop of Llandaff Bishop of St. Asaph He translated the whole Bible into a Welsh which people could understand. He had a wonderful feel for the right words to use and for the beauty of the Welsh language. The Bible was published in 1588 and in 1599 he revised the Welsh version of the Prayer Book. Because of his work the Bible was studied, loved and became familiar. As a consequence, the Welsh language and ways of life and thought did not die out. Edmund Prys, Richard Vaughan, Gabriel Goodman, Archbishop Whitgift, John Davies. 1604 He is believed to be buried in St. Asaph Cathedral.
Gabriel Goodman 1528 Ruthin Christ s College, Cambridge Priest and Scholar. Chaplain to William Cecil, who was the Lord Chancellor, the chief minister of the government under Queen Elisabeth. Dean of Westminster in charge of Westminster Abbey. He helped William Morgan in the translation of the Bible of 1588. He provided accommodation when William Morgan was supervising the printing since he lived in Westminster on the same side of the river as the printers. He provided a link between Wales and the Court. He founded Ruthin Grammar School. William Morgan, William Cecil (the Lord Chancellor), Queen Elizabeth 1601
John Davies 1567? Llanferres, Denbighshire Ruthin Grammar School, Jesus College, Oxford Priest and scholar. Collector of manuscripts of earlier Welsh poetry He helped to check and revise William Morgan s Bible and produce the version of 1620 The last act of William Morgan was to make him Rector of Mallwyd, which made sure that he had enough funds to complete his translation work. The Bible of 1620 was used until 1988 when a new translation was produced by a committee of translators Richard Parry, William Morgan, Robert Vaughan of Hengwrt who had the best library in Wales and copied all the best bardic (poetic) manuscripts in Wales 1644
Richard Parry 1560 Pwllhalog, Flintshire Westminster School and Christ Church Oxford Priest and scholar. Master of Ruthin Free School. Followed William Morgan as Bishop of St. Asaph Helped in the revision of William Morgan s Bible in 1620 Brother in law of John Davies 1623
Edmund Prys 1544 Llanrwst St. John s College, Cambridge Priest and scholar. University Preacher. He was a Member of the Council of the Marches and so had contact with the government. He added the translation of the Psalms to the Welsh Prayer Book in 1621 the only hymns available until the18th Century. He was a poet and knew 8 languages, including Hebrew. He was related to William Salesbury, and possibly educated with William Morgan. He was a Canon of St. Asaph Cathedral when William Morgan was Bishop. Richard Vaughan, Bishop of London. 1623