The King James Bible is an intensely political work, and up until the 17th century, translating the Bible into English was a dangerous act, done in secret, and punishable by death. Then in 1604, King James I of England authorised a new translation of the Bible, with the intention to clarify religious differences, but also to solidify his power and supremacy. In so doing, he unintentionally democratized a book which for so long had been withheld from the masses. He ended up creating the “people’s Bible”.