Thomas Perridge, Gordon Campbell and Alison Strachan

Leading authority on the King James Bible Professor Gordon Campbell, lead editor of the Coronation Bible Thomas Perridge, and Alison Strachan, managing director of traditional bookbinding business Shepherds, Sangorski & Sutcliffe, discuss the production, craftsmanship and inspiration needed to produce a bible fit for a king.

Last year, the world watched as His Majesty King Charles III placed his hand on a leather-bound bible under the roof of Westminster Abbey and recited the Coronation Oath. Oxford University Press bibles have been used at coronation ceremonies since at least 1761. One of the four copies of the Coronation Bible will be on display for attendees to view.

Campbell is professor of Renaissance studies at the University of Leicester and one of the world’s leading authorities on the King James Bible. He has published eight monographs including Bible: the story of the King James Version. His editions include The Holy Bible: Quatercentenary Edition, which was slightly revised in 2023 as the Coronation Bible.

Perridge is senior acquisition editor for religion at Oxford University Press. He commissioned and published the bestselling 400th anniversary edition of the King James Version of the Bible and led the team at the OUP responsible for producing the Coronation Bible.

Strachan has worked for Shepherds Bookbinders Ltd for nearly 30 years, starting as a Saturday girl whilst studying for her diploma in bookbinding, then working at the bench before becoming bindery manager, overseeing production and sales. She became managing director in 2022 but continues to oversee larger bindery projects such as the production of the Coronation bibles.