Caxton's Press

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Bishop of Lincoln became aware of Caxton's printing press established far to the south. Repington began to wonder, could this press, this idea of the mass dissemination of information, might be used to his favor. It had been several years since his fateful trip to seek the Thumb of St. Edith, and since that trip (which may or may not have been successful...) the Bishop began to reflect upon his orthodoxy in that moment with regards to his subsequent experiences with the Crown and religious authorities who had rebuked him and belittled him. They seemed more concerned with their own ranks and titles than with matters of theology. This had planted a seed of doubt and discomfort. Was this monopoly of faith established to merely allow an aristocratic elite to grip, white knuckled, the reins of religious faith in England? Maybe it had. The Bishop has increasingly favored allowing the bible to be printed in the vulgar. He had even turned a blind eye in Lincolnshire when it was brought to his attention. Now some bibles printed in English were appearing under his nose, even in the Cathedral, and he never acted.

Phase I

A. The Bishop of Lincoln makes overtures to prospective operators of the printing press to establish shops in Lincoln.

B. The Bishop of Lincoln ceases any inquisitorial activity in Lincolnshire from this moment, in the hopes it will attract less orthodox thinkers to Lincoln.

C. The Bishop of Lincoln begins clandestine meetings with likeminded individuals in order to discuss the nature of translations, often haggling over diction of a hypothetical English bible.

[Gandalfus]

Caxton himself had worked with Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers towards the founding of a printing press within England itself, investment that had led to the establishment of a printing press within Westminster. The first of its kind, very few others in England shared the knowledge that Caxton himself had gained. Therefore it would be difficult for Lincoln to establish a printing press within his diocese without contacting either Caxton or importing a worker from the continent who was skilled in such affairs.

Lincolnshire had already been a haven of Lollard thinking for some time, with the underground movement having gained popularity in southern and middle England during the 14th and 15th century. Therefore, Lincoln's actions were an encouragement to Wycliffe's disciples, who warily began extending themselves within the town and the surrounding villages. Inquisitions against the Lollards were often quick and unexpected, and so growth of the movement would be slow - though the Bishop's goals would be strengthened by the already sizeable number of heretics who made their home within the diocese.

Opening dialogue with the Lollards would also prove difficult, as the true believers of this heresy are utterly against the upper clergy and many of the practices associated with the Catholic Church. Since 1401, owning a Bible printed in the English language had been illegal, but very rare copies of Wycliffe's Bible certainly circulated around the country in less distinguished circles. This was certainly the latest translation into the English language, but would certainly be difficult to get hold of. The best place to start would be with the Lollards themselves, who typically dwelt in places of learning or as craftsmen in the city. Certainly, among the guilds-men of Lincoln, some trace of Lollardy would certainly be present, and thus that would be the best place to start for the Bishop in his search for an English bible.