WILLIAM, a zealous English reformer, and memorable for having made the first English version of the Bible, was born on the borders of Wales some time before 1500. He was of Magdalene-hall in Oxford, where he distinguished himself by imbibing early the doctrines of Luther, and by as zealously propagating them. Afterwards he removed to Cambridge, and from thence went to live with a gentleman in Gloucestershire in the capacity of tutor to his children.—While he continued there, he showed himself so furious for Luther, and so inveterate to the pope, that he was forced, merely for the security of his person, to leave the place. He next endeavoured to get into the service of Tonstall bishop of Durham, but did not succeed. His zeal for Lutheranism made him desirous to translate the New Testament into English; and as this could not safely be done in England, he went into Germany, where, setting about the work, he finished it in 1527. He then began with the Old Testament, and finished the five books of Moses, prefixing discourses to each book, as he had done to those of the New Testament. At his first going over into Germany, he went into Saxony, and had much conference with Luther; and then returning to the Netherlands, made his abode chiefly at Antwerp. During his peregrinations from one country to another, he suffered shipwreck upon the coast of Holland, and lost all his books and papers. His translations of the Scriptures being in the mean time sent to England, made a great noise there; and, in the opinion of the clergy, did to much mischief, that a royal proclamation was issued, prohibiting the buying or reading them. But the clergy were not satisfied with this; they knew Tyndale capable of doing infinite harm, and therefore thought of nothing less than removing him out of the way. For this purpose one Philips was sent over to Antwerp, who intimated himself into his company, and under the pretext of friendship betrayed him into custody. He was sent to the castle of Filford, about 18 miles from Antwerp; and though the English merchants at Antwerp did what they could to procure his release, and letters were also sent from Lord Cromwell and others out of England, yet Philips besmirched himself so heartily, that he was tried and condemned to die. He was first strangled by the hands of the common hangman, and then burned near Filford castle, in 1536. While he was tying to the stake, he cried with a fervent and loud voice, "Lord, open the king of England's eyes."