R58 The Soldiers Pocket Bible by Oliver Cromwell 1643

The Soldier's Pocket Bible

The Soldier's Pocket Bible was first issued in  1643 to Cromwell's army and was put in  general use among his soldiers. It has been  of historical record that Cromwell's soldiers  were provided with a small pocket Bible.  This condensed Soldier's Pocket Bible was  usually buttoned on the inside waistcoat,  placed near the heart, and under the soldier's  outer coat. The placement did not hinder the  movements of the soldier.  English Puritan  church leader Richard Baxter relates a story  that the life of one of Cromwell's soldiers was  saved by his carrying a copy of the Soldier's  Pocket Bible near his heart; a bullet fired at  him became lodged in the pamphlet instead  of his heart.