The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) has had an incalculable in?uence on the English language and its literature since its ?rst publication in 1549. With the King James Bible (KJV) and the works of Shakespeare, it has informed English—speaking culture for more than 400 years. This chronological survey of its impact demonstrates, by means of selective quotation, the Prayer Book’s in?uence on the work of some 45 major writers from Shakespeare himself to TS. Eliot. The BCP remains the of?cial prayer book of the Anglican Church of Canada despite attempts to displace it.