Old Sarum Cathedral
Encyclopedia
Old Sarum Cathedral was a Norman
cathedral built at Old Sarum
, near modern day Salisbury
, Wiltshire
.
After the Norman conquest of England
in 1066, William the Conqueror
used Old Sarum as a base of operations. William moved the bishopric from the Anglo-Saxon Sherborne Cathedral
to Old Sarum, appointing his nephew, Osmund de Sees, as his chancellor and Bishop of Salisbury. Osmund had the first cathedral at Old Sarum built, completed in 1092. Sarum is described as a fortress rather than a city, placed on a high hill, surrounded by a massive wall. Peter of Blois
(c.1135–1203) describes the site as "barren, dry, and solitary, exposed to the rage of the wind; and the church [stands] as a captive on the hill where it was built, like the ark of God shut up in the profane house of Baal."
The Norman cathedral suffered extensive damage in a storm, traditionally given as taking place only five days after its consecration. Osmund's successor, Roger of Salisbury
, rebuilt and enlarged sections of the cathedral. Roger also oversaw the construction of a stone royal palace on the hill site between 1130–1139.
At its greatest, the Norman cathedral was 185 feet (56 metres) from end to end, smaller than most of the cathedrals being constructed at the time. Built in the standard cruciform shape, the building had a nave of seven bays with cross-shaped piers, an apse and a central crossing tower, as well as several peripheral chapels.
The site at Old Sarum was exposed and had a limited water supply. After a dispute between the clergy and military officials at the nearby castle, Bishop Richard Poore
decided to move location. A plan to move the cathedral to Salisbury had already been put forward to Richard I
in 1194. An official mandate for its destruction was given by the king and the move began in 1219. Stone from the old cathedral was used in building the new, and in 1220 the new site was consecrated. By 1258 the new cathedral
had been completed in an Early English style.
A licence to build the new cathedral close wall using stone from Old Sarum Cathedral was granted in 1327 and the wall was built in 1331.
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
cathedral built at Old Sarum
Old Sarum
Old Sarum is the site of the earliest settlement of Salisbury, in England. The site contains evidence of human habitation as early as 3000 BC. Old Sarum is mentioned in some of the earliest records in the country...
, near modern day Salisbury
Salisbury
Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
, Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
.
After the Norman conquest of England
Norman conquest of England
The Norman conquest of England began on 28 September 1066 with the invasion of England by William, Duke of Normandy. William became known as William the Conqueror after his victory at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, defeating King Harold II of England...
in 1066, William the Conqueror
William I of England
William I , also known as William the Conqueror , was the first Norman King of England from Christmas 1066 until his death. He was also Duke of Normandy from 3 July 1035 until his death, under the name William II...
used Old Sarum as a base of operations. William moved the bishopric from the Anglo-Saxon Sherborne Cathedral
Sherborne Abbey
The Abbey Church of St Mary the Virgin at Sherborne in the English county of Dorset, is usually called Sherborne Abbey. It has been a Saxon cathedral , a Benedictine abbey and is now a parish church.- Cathedral :...
to Old Sarum, appointing his nephew, Osmund de Sees, as his chancellor and Bishop of Salisbury. Osmund had the first cathedral at Old Sarum built, completed in 1092. Sarum is described as a fortress rather than a city, placed on a high hill, surrounded by a massive wall. Peter of Blois
Peter of Blois
Peter of Blois or Petrus Blesensis was a French poet and diplomat who wrote in Latin. Peter studied law in Bologna and theology in Paris...
(c.1135–1203) describes the site as "barren, dry, and solitary, exposed to the rage of the wind; and the church [stands] as a captive on the hill where it was built, like the ark of God shut up in the profane house of Baal."
The Norman cathedral suffered extensive damage in a storm, traditionally given as taking place only five days after its consecration. Osmund's successor, Roger of Salisbury
Roger of Salisbury
Roger was a Norman medieval Bishop of Salisbury and the seventh Lord Chancellor and Lord Keeper of England.-Life:...
, rebuilt and enlarged sections of the cathedral. Roger also oversaw the construction of a stone royal palace on the hill site between 1130–1139.
At its greatest, the Norman cathedral was 185 feet (56 metres) from end to end, smaller than most of the cathedrals being constructed at the time. Built in the standard cruciform shape, the building had a nave of seven bays with cross-shaped piers, an apse and a central crossing tower, as well as several peripheral chapels.
The site at Old Sarum was exposed and had a limited water supply. After a dispute between the clergy and military officials at the nearby castle, Bishop Richard Poore
Richard Poore
Richard Poore was a medieval English clergyman best known for his role in the construction of Salisbury Cathedral.-Early life:...
decided to move location. A plan to move the cathedral to Salisbury had already been put forward to Richard I
Richard I of England
Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death. He also ruled as Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Count of Nantes, and Overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period...
in 1194. An official mandate for its destruction was given by the king and the move began in 1219. Stone from the old cathedral was used in building the new, and in 1220 the new site was consecrated. By 1258 the new cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England, considered one of the leading examples of Early English architecture....
had been completed in an Early English style.
A licence to build the new cathedral close wall using stone from Old Sarum Cathedral was granted in 1327 and the wall was built in 1331.