Medieval Bible returns to Salisbury after 800 years

A rare 13th-century manuscript, the Sarum Master Bible, has returned to Salisbury Cathedral nearly 800 years after it was created. As read on Medievalists.net, this exquisitely illuminated Bible is now on public display until March 20, offering visitors a rare glimpse into England’s medieval artistic and scholarly heritage.

The Sarum Master Bible is an early English example of a small, portable Bible, crafted on fine parchment and adorned with intricate initials. Some of these initials are purely decorative, while others contain historiated scenes—detailed illustrations of biblical moments. The manuscript is the work of the Sarum Master, one of England’s earliest known professional book artists, active in the 1240s and 1250s. Only six of his works survive today, and this Bible is now the only one housed at Salisbury Cathedral.

At the time of its creation, Salisbury was a center of medieval learning and artistic excellence. The city’s cathedral was still under construction, and its schools were so influential that Salisbury nearly became a university town. According to Christopher de Hamel, a leading expert on medieval manuscripts, Salisbury and Oxford were home to England’s first professional book illuminators—preceding even London.

As noted by Medievalists.net, the return of the Sarum Master Bible was made possible through a £90,000 fundraising campaign led by the Friends of the National Libraries (FNL). The manuscript, previously in private hands, was acquired through Sotheby’s and gifted to the cathedral, where it will be permanently preserved.

The Very Reverend Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury, expressed deep gratitude for the campaign’s success:

“We are immensely grateful to the Friends of the National Libraries for their invaluable support with the campaign to bring the Sarum Bible back to Salisbury after nearly 800 years. The artistry of the Sarum Master speaks to a centuries-long tradition of creativity at Salisbury.”

To mark the Bible’s return, Salisbury Cathedral hosted a Choral Evensong and a special reception where donors and supporters had the opportunity to view the manuscript up close. Plans are also underway to digitize the Bible, allowing scholars and the public to explore its artistry and historical significance in greater detail.

For visitors, this exhibition offers a rare chance to witness a medieval treasure reunited with its city of origin after centuries in private collections. The Sarum Master Bible stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith, art, and the written word. For more details on the exhibition, visit the Salisbury Cathedral website.