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By: Adlen Robinson
FORSYTH COUNTY — The ninth installment of the Forsyth County News series on resident Charles Payette’s Bible collection examines a pristine 1611 Geneva Bible.
This black letter quarto’s New Testament title is dated 1610, although the general title and tables are all dated 1611. Printed by Robert Barker, who was known as “the King’s Printer,” the printing coincides with the printing of the first King James Bible.
Readers will remember that King James I commissioned the “authorized version” to replace and hopefully do away with the Geneva Bible, which was wildly popular.
Surprisingly, notes from the Geneva Bible were included in King James Bibles until as late as 1715.
Interestingly, there is no handwriting in this Bible — there is a sole inscription on the New Testament title page that reads “Madame Turner” and is signed “J.R.”
As with so many other Bibles in Payette’s collection, the provenance of this one reads like a suspense thriller. It is quite possible this Bible was given to Turner by King James himself.
According to some sources, it was quite common for royal leaders during this time period to sign their initials, instead of their full name. If one of their “underlings” signed it, they certainly would have signed the king’s full name.
Also interesting to note is that since the King James Bible was only printed (that year) in folio, it stands to reason that this edition was printed prior to the first such Bible.
Certainly, if one had been available, the King would have given “his” Bible to Turner instead of a Geneva Bible.
Another important thing to note is the quality of the binding and of the book itself. In fact, when Payette asked one of his binders to take on the task of rebinding this edition, the binder (formerly a binder for the current Queen of England), remarked that he had never in his 50-year career seen a copy sewn so professionally and flawlessly.
Certainly, the Bible was bound for someone of tremendous importance and very likely of the royal court.
So, just who was Madame Turner? Born in 1576, Turner married George Turner, a prominent physician in London. When her husband died, Turner went on to become a successful businesswoman
One of her businesses involved importing and selling saffron starch, which was used to color the popular collars and ruffles of the day a yellow hue. This, along with her ties from when her husband was alive, afforded her access to those at court.
One of Turner’s longtime friends was Frances Howard, who King James had arranged to marry Robert Devereux, third Earl of Essex.
Some sources say that Howard did in fact marry Devereux, but she really wanted to marry Robert Carr, a gentleman from Scotland.
Carr actually fell off of his horse in front of King James I, and the king went to great lengths to make sure Carr received proper treatment while he was recovering.
Apparently, King James liked and trusted Carr and not only knighted him soon after this, but continued to give him titles that helped Carr rise to quite a high stature in a short amount of time.
Carr became Viscount Rochester and kept the company of Ann Turner and Frances Howard among others at court.
When one of King James I’s trusted advisers died suddenly, Rochester knew the king would be looking for a replacement and he wanted to be that man.
The only other candidate was Sir Thomas Overbury, a lesser known courtier, who also had the king’s ear. Rochester, who was now interested in marrying Frances Howard, wanted to make sure Overbury didn’t get the position.
Some sources say that Rochester, Turner and Howard devised a plan to get rid of Overbury, who also did not approve of the relationship between Rochester and Howard. The plan was hatched, with Anne Turner at the center of it all.
First, Frances’ uncle, Henry Howard, first Earl of Northhampton, had Overbury thrown into the Tower of London due to trumped-up and bogus charges.
Soon after, Howard decided she wanted Overbury killed. Turner had access to chemicals because of her saffron starch clothing dying business, plus she had knowledge of “potion making” from when she was married to her physician husband.
Various “tarts” and “jellies” were sent to Overbury in the Tower, and after consuming the toxic treats, he died in September 1613.
Two years later, in 1615, the truth came out and Turner was arrested. The evidence was overwhelming and Turner confessed and was soon tried for the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury. Turner was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging.
Interestingly, King James I pardoned Rochester and his wife, who were now known as the Earl and Countess of Somerset.
To add to the drama, Turner was hanged wearing a yellow collar and ruffles made by her own business. The hangman also wore “bands and cuffs of the same colour.”
That this Bible belonged to Anne Turner is quite possible since it was found at a shop close to the Earl of Somersets’ ancestral home in Wiltshire. It’s very likely her friends would have had possession of Turner’s Bible given to her by King James I.
Next week’s Bible needs a drum roll before the introduction — readers will get a look at the 1611 King James “He” Bible. This is the first edition of the world’s most widely read book.
Prepare to continue this amazing journey, currently available only in the Forsyth County News.
