‘Wicked Bible’ and ‘God’s great asse’

British Museum

‘Thou shalt commit adultery’ – according to this 1631 edition of the King James Bible.

Sometimes it’s not entirely obvious whether an act of dissent is deliberate, or an innocent mistake. Published in London under the names of Robert Barker and Martin Lucas, this is a page from the ‘Wicked Bible’ – so called for the printing error in the Seventh Commandment.

This could be an unfortunate mistake, but a second misprint changing ‘God’s greateness’ to ‘God’s great asse’ might make this seem a little suspicious.

Explore the history of dissent over thousands of years in our #IObjectexhibition, co-curated by Ian Hislop – book tickets: http://ow.ly/Eo9r30mKHYN

Don’t miss our Cyber Monday shop offers and free UK delivery! Hurry, ends at midnight – browse here: http://ow.ly/lfNT30mKI9m

Image © British Library Board (C.24.a.41)