Salisbury Cathedral Library was established in the late eleventh century, at the Cathedral’s first site at Old Sarum, to support the study of the Cathedral priests. In 1445 it moved to a purpose-built library room above the cloister of the present cathedral, where it remains. Today the collection includes 194 medieval manuscripts, some 60 of which were made at the Old Sarum site, and it is remarkable that these books have remained with their original owner for over 900 years. 

The 13th-century Bible, illustrated by the Sarum Master, which was purchased by FNL in 2024 and donated to the Cathedral, will be on display during the visit.


Images of the Sarum Master Bible
Left:  folio 259 v. Psalm 1. Detail of initial of King David playing his harp. 
Right: Sarum Master Bible, folio 585r. Apocalypse, with initial of St John as a medieval scribe, writing his Revelation. 
Courtesy of Salisbury Cathedral.

Sarum Master Bible, folio 259 v. Psalm 1. Detail of initial of King David playing his harp. Image courtesy of Salisbury Cathedral
Sarum Master Bible, folio 585r. Apocalypse, with initial of St John as a medieval scribe, writing his Revelation. Image courtesy of Salisbury Cathedral.
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