William Tyndale's complete English translation of the New Testament was printed at Worms in the Holy Roman Empire and secretly transported into England. Church authorities condemned the unauthorised translation and destroyed many copies. Tyndale's language nevertheless became foundational to later English Bibles.

Tyndale's concise, rhythmic prose profoundly influenced the King James Bible and the development of literary English. Its phrases and cadences entered the poetry of Shakespeare, Milton, Blake, Dickinson and countless later writers.