Rare 13th Century Sarum Master Bible to go on public display for first time at Salisbury Cathedral

Friday, 14 February 2025 07:30

The Sarum Master Bible, a beautifully illustrated medieval manuscript, will go on public display at Salisbury Cathedral from 28th February to 20th March, following a successful fundraising campaign by Friends of the Nations’ Libraries to return it to the cathedral city.

The Sarum Master Bible is a manuscript of exceptional artistic value with great significance to Salisbury. It is just 17cm high, written on parchment and beautifully illustrated with highly detailed initial letters.

It is an early English example of a small, portable Bible. Following a successful fundraising campaign by Friends of the Nations’ Libraries, the Bible was purchased from a private owner via Sotheby’s and donated to Salisbury Cathedral. This will be the first time in centuries that the Bible will be on view to the public.

The Sarum Master was one of the greatest artists of his time, a manuscript illuminator working in the 1240s and 1250s, most probably in Salisbury. He was one of England's first professional book illuminators and appears to have led a large workshop.

At the time, there was a lot of artistic activity in Salisbury. The Cathedral was under construction and was in the process of being decorated with wall-painting, ceiling-painting, sculpture and stained glass. It is likely that the different artists working in the city drew inspiration from and influenced each other.

Each book of the Sarum Master Bible begins with an intricate decorated initial. Some are ornamental; others are historiated (that is, containing human figures), illustrating scenes and characters from the Bible and other subjects. The initials use a rich colour palette, including a distinctive green. In keeping with the size of the volume, these initials are less than 2.5cm high.

The Sarum Master Bible will be on display in Salisbury Cathedral from 28 February to 20 March and is included in general admission charges. Details of visiting Salisbury Cathedral and online tickets can be found at www.salisburycathedral.org.uk. Local residents living in postcodes SP1-SP5 have free visitor access on presentation of proof of address.

As well as being on public display, there are plans to fully digitize the Bible and offer study days to look more closely at its production and history.

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