Salisbury Cathedral volunteers make first stitch in historic Opus Anglicanum embroidery project

‘Saintly Stitchers’ embroiderers at Salisbury Cathedral have made the first stitch on their part of a significant project that will see the collaboration of twelve cathedrals across the country, including Derby, Exeter, St Paul’s, Liverpool, Durham and Lincoln.

Opus Anglicanum or ‘English Work’ is a fine needlework that was developed in Medieval England to create luxurious textiles, often using gold and silver threads on velvet or linen grounds.

This intricate craft technique will be employed to create the textile masterpiece known as the Circle of Life. The piece has been designed by internationally known iconographer Aiden Hart, with the hopes that this project will make the skill more widely known and encourage more enthusiasts to join local cathedral groups. 

Over two metres in diameter, The Circle of Life will be the most significant piece of Opus Anglicanum embroidery produced since the Fishmongers' Pall in 1530. The ancient craft techniques used in this piece of work will represent the pinnacle of hand-stitch craft. The project will be fully supported by the Royal School of Needlework, which will provide embroiderers with all the necessary mentoring and training.

The project is sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Upholders, a City of London Livery Company that dates back to 1360.

The production of the artwork is scheduled to be completed around April 2026, and once assembled, the finished work is planned to be unveiled at the Guildhall in the City of London as part of celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of the grant of the Livery Company’s Royal Charter. It will then be exhibited at venues around the country, including the participating cathedrals.

Lesley Fudge, Team Leader for the volunteer team at Salisbury Cathedral, said, “Underside couching is just one of the techniques that we will be using in the project. There will be satin stitch, long and short stitch, Bayeux stitch and couched gold-work.

"As the pieces develop, some wonderful colours will be included, ruby red, bottle green and dark blue, both wool and thread, so between now and April 2026, there will be so much more to see. 

"Once completed, our stitched panel will join eleven others to make a 2.3 metre circle of life, our panel being ‘birth’. Each will be accompanied by a blue silk panel with a silhouette of each cathedral worked in gold. Visitors can ‘have a go’ at underside couching on an embroidery hoop and will become part of the history of the project.”

From Monday, 7th July, Salisbury Cathedral will also begin a brand-new Textile Treasures tour, featuring altar frontals, kneelers, and wall hangings, some dating back as far as the 17th century. For a limited time, the tour will conclude with the opportunity to observe the embroiderers at work on the Circle of Life.