Images courtesy of the Royal Mail
'For many, perhaps the most important and lasting contribution of the King James Bible has been to the shaping of the English language itself.'

In celebration of the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, the Royal Mail has produced a series of stamps to celebrate this anniversary. Surefish.co.uk has 15 presentation packs to be won.

The King James Bible has been described as "the noblest monument of English prose", which shaped the way people write and speak English. Now 400 years after its publication Royal Mail celebrates the anniversary on this year’s Christmas stamps.

Seven stamps have been issued which draw on significant events from the Nativity inspired by verses from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. In addition the popular 1st and 2nd Class Madonna and Child stamps, first issued in 2007, will also be available.

For many, perhaps the most important and lasting contribution of the King James Bible has been to the shaping of the English language itself. Commissioned by James I in 1604, he hoped that this new translation would secure peace and stability in religious matters following growing tensions between Anglicans and Puritans.

The arrangements for the translation were more sophisticated and complex than for any previous English Bible. Six ‘Companies of Translators’ were appointed, each consisting of about nine leading scholars and churchmen, who were all allocated a specific section of the Bible to translate.

Appearing in 1611 the new Bible was slow in rising to fame, and it was not until the late 17th century that its remarkable qualities began to be recognised. By the beginning of the 18th century, the King James Bible was being hailed as a religious and literary classic. Yet even today, many still prefer the 1611 translation to its more modern rivals.

Many of its distinctive sayings have found their way into our everyday way of speaking, with more than 200 phrases such as ‘the apple of my eye’, a ‘den of thieves’ or ‘the land of the living’ have become part of modern English.

• To order your Christmas stamps, and other products from the 2011 Christmas range
click here

Question

The closing date is 12pm on Wednesday, 30th November, 2011.

Terms and Conditions
Competition closes 12 pm, 30th November, 2011. The winners will be picked at random from the entries received with the correct answer to the question. The Editor's decision is final. No correspendence will be entered into. No cash alternative is available.