The William Tyndale translation of the New Testament was the first English language Bible to be printed and distributed to the people. Translated in 1526 against the express orders of the Catholic Church, it became contraband and illegal to own. Anyone caught with it was severely punished or executed for supporting heresey. William Tyndale's love for the word of God makes this a groundbreaking translation that served as the basis for English Bibles over the next 100 years. Tyndale himself lost his life because of this work, but as a result gave the world the opportunity to read God's word for themselves and to better understand His will.