Old Sarum Cathedral

Old Sarum Cathedral was a significant Catholic cathedral that stood at the historic site of Old Sarum, England, serving as the primary seat for the bishops of Salisbury during the early Norman period. Its construction marked a new ecclesiastical center in the region, and it is historically important as the origin of the Sarum Rite, a liturgical tradition that influenced church practices across England and beyond. Although the cathedral itself no longer stands, its foundations remain as a testament to its past importance, located approximately two miles north of its 13th-century successor, Salisbury Cathedral.

History and Construction

The establishment of the cathedral at Old Sarum followed the Norman conquest, with the translation of Bishop Herman to the area in 1075. This move unified the former dioceses of Sherborne and Ramsbury, creating a new bishopric. Construction of the cathedral began shortly thereafter. It was consecrated on April 5, 1092, under Bishop Saint Osmund. The building suffered damage from a storm just days after its consecration, but it was later significantly rebuilt and enlarged by Roger of Salisbury around 1120. This reconstruction included the introduction of patterned green and white stone flooring in the new sections.

Description and Dismantling

At its largest, the Norman cathedral measured 185 feet (56 m) in length. It featured a standard cruciform shape with a seven-bay nave, cross-shaped piers, an apse, and a central crossing tower, along with several peripheral chapels. The cathedral housed six altars, including the high altar and others dedicated to various saints. However, by the late 12th and early 13th centuries, the site at Old Sarum was deemed too exposed and lacking in resources. Bishop Herbert Poore received permission to relocate the cathedral, and its stones were transported to a new site to construct the present Salisbury Cathedral, the consecration of which took place in 1220. The dismantling of Old Sarum Cathedral was a gradual process, with its materials being repurposed for the new edifice and its close walls.

Excavation and Legacy

While the physical structure of Old Sarum Cathedral has largely vanished, its historical and liturgical legacy endures. The site underwent excavation campaigns, notably by the Society of Antiquaries of London between 1909 and 1915, which uncovered much about its layout and construction. The relics of Saint Osmund were eventually translated to Salisbury Cathedral in 1457, further connecting the two sites. Today, the remaining foundations at Old Sarum are recognized as a Grade I listed monument, preserving the memory of this early Norman cathedral and its pivotal role in the history of the Church in England.