First bible translated from latin into english

[Contarini]

It was the 8th century by Aldhelm, the Bishop of Sherborne, and Bede. A 9th
century translation of the Bible into English (Anglo-Saxon the dialect of its time) was made by Alfred. A tenth century translation into English was made by Aelfric. By 1361 A.D. a translation of most of Scripture in the English dialect (Anglo-Norman) of its time had been executed. source

The Old English translations weren’t of the whole Bible, but of very significant parts (the Gospels, the Psalter, and the first six or seven books of the OT, at least). I’m not sure about the last claim or how much is “most”–and I don’t think the term “Anglo-Norman” is still used as late as 1361.

Edwin

 

[ajcstr]

FWIW, one of the main reasons that the Catholic Church didn’t translate the Bible into other languages before the printing press, was because the Mass (and all the Bible readings) was always done in Latin, everywhere in the world (even up until Vat II). This made it easier for people to be able to go to Mass and understand what was being said, even if they were visiting a foreign country. At that point in time, almost everyone, especially Catholics, spoke at least some Latin as a second language. Since most people could never afford to have a Bible in their homes, each Parish usually only had one, just to read from during Mass. If anyone wanted to read the Bible on their own, they had to do it in the Church. (Bibles were often chained to the pulpit so they wouldn’t be stolen and sold.)

I would add that this makes sense since the Church has always viewed the Bible as a liturgical book. Also, private reading before the printing press was difficult.