A special opportunity to visit the historic Library of Westminster Abbey, to view their 1588 Welsh Bible, followed by a Tour of some of the parts of the Abbey relevant to the history of Wales. This visit can only accommodate very limited numbers.
Ticketed visit to Westminster Abbey Library organised jointly with St Davids Cathedral library during Wales Week London 2026.
Schedule:
3.00pm - 4.30pm (Arrival information sent when booking confirmed)
Visit to Westminster Abbey Library (approached via staircase), viewing of 1588 Welsh Bible given to Abbey Library by William Morgan in November 1588. Also viewing of John Williams painting, founder of current Abbey Library.
Followed by tour to the tombs of Henry VII and Elizabeth I, who commissioned the “Bible in Welsh in every village in Wales”, via tombs of Welsh Bishops including William Lyndwood and Connop Thirlwall.
5.00pm - Choral Evensong
The first complete, official Bible in Welsh was produced in 1588. It was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth I who spoke Welsh as a result of the Welsh heritage of the Tudor family and Welsh speaking members of her household, including Blanche Parry, the Queen’s Confidante. In 1563 the Queen ensured legislation was passed to require a Bible in Welsh in every village in Wales.
Co-ordinating the substantial translation into Welsh (from the original Greek and Hebrew), the printing and distribution exercise was Rev William Morgan. Morgan was then Vicar of Llanrhaedr-ym-Mochnant in Powys and later became Bishop of Llandaff, and later of St Asaph. During the printing of the Bible in London, Morgan stayed with his old college friend from St John’s College Cambridge, Gabriel Goodman, who was then Dean of Westminster. William Morgan gave what may well have been the first printed copy of a Welsh Bible to Westminster Abbey Library. It is still there. It is in much better condition than the ones that remain in Wales, which have been much used over the intervening 438 years.
This first copy came to Wales for the first time in the summer of 2025, when it went on public display in St Davids Cathedral. This copy is now safe back on the shelves of Westminster Abbey’s historic library where William Morgan intended it to be. A special visit to view this Bible, is being kindly facilitated by the Abbey Library as part of the various London Welsh celebrations around St David’s day.
Booking is required. No cost for tickets. Donations welcome to Westminster Abbey Library and to St Davids Cathedral Library.
If the bookings are shown as full but you would like to attend - please send email to Library@StDavidsCathedral.org.uk
