The 1662 Book of Common

Prayer

The 1662 Book of Common Prayer was issued in the reign of King Charles II after the monarchy was restored. The language of the 1662 BCP was little changed from that of Cranmer's BCP's, but the readings for the Epistle and Gospel came from the 1611 King James Bible. The 1662 edition was the official BCP during the growth of the British Empire. As a result, it had a great influence on the prayer books of Anglican churches worldwide.

Copy 1: The book of common-prayer and administration of the sacraments : and other rites & ceremonies of the church, according to the use of the Church of England : together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, pointed as they are to be sung or said in churches : and The form & manner of making, ordaining, & consecrating, of bishops, priests, and deacons.  London : Printed by His Majesties printers 1662.

Title within engraved architectural border, signed: D: Loggan sculp: [after the drawings of Jan Baptist Gaspers]; calendar printed in red and black; head-pieces; initials. "The Psalter or Psalms of David" has separate dated title page and the ordinal has a separate half-title; register is continuous. Notation on first leaf reads, "Tho: Gaunt his book 1662." Measures 7.5" x 12".

The 1662 Prayer Book was printed two years after the restoration of the monarchy. The actual language of the 1662 revision was little changed from that of Cranmer. However, words and phrases which had become archaic were modernized.

 Copy 2: The book of common prayer and administration of the sacraments : and other rites and ceremonies of the church, according to the use of the Church of England : together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, pointed as they are to be sung or said in churches : the form and manner of making, ordaining, and consecrating of bishops, priests, and deacons. Cambridge: Printed by John Field, printer to the University of Cambridge, 1662.

1st Cambridge edition of the sealed book. Note on fly leaf declares: "This, the first edition of the 'Book of Common Prayer' now in use, is so extremely scarce that I never observed a copy of it in any sale catalogue either public or private." With portrait of Charles II and 52 plates, ruled in red throughout, in contemporary green morocco, gilt edge. Once belonged to William Bateman, Fellow of the Antiquarian Society, and has his signature and date 1824 on the verso of the title to the Psalter. Four pp. of notes in a scholarly hand in Latin and English at the end.

The 1662 Prayer Book was printed two years after the restoration of the monarchy. The actual language of the 1662 revision was little changed from that of Cranmer. However, words and phrases which had become archaic were modernized.