Friends of the Nations’ Libraries Donates 13th Century Sarum Master Bible to Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral has received an early Christmas present from Friends of the Nations’ Libraries (FNL) which has successfully raised £90,000 to buy a stunning 13th century Bible illuminated by the Sarum Master, and returned it home to the cathedral city after more than 700 years.

Plans are being made to have special viewing days for the public, as well as lectures, study days and other events that will focus on the Bible and the Sarum Master. There are also plans to fully digitise the Bible. 

The Sarum Master was one of the greatest artists of his time, a manuscript illuminator working in the mid-13th century. He led a large workshop at a time when no other cities apart from London and Oxford are known to have supported this scale of book production. The Bible is one of only six manuscripts definitively attributed to the Sarum Master.

Geordie Greig,  Chair of FNL, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the magnificent generosity of many donors and nearly 150 members of the public. Thanks to them this Bible has now returned to the City in which it was created and will forever be in Salisbury Cathedral Library, one of the treasure houses of our country.”

The Very Reverend Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury, added: “We are hugely grateful to the Friends of the Nations’ Libraries for their work in raising the funds to bring the Sarum Bible back to Salisbury. It will be thrilling to welcome this important and beautiful manuscript to the Cathedral and to share it with our many visitors.”