Processions in Medieval Salisbury Cathedral and Their Antecedents

This lecture addresses an important aspect of ritual in the medieval church – processions.

At Salisbury Cathedral there were processions on around 100 days of the year. They varied in complexity, routes and intention. By the time the cathedral was founded in 1078, they were well established in the Western Church; and what happened at the first cathedral in the twelfth century was transferred (with some changes of route) to the new cathedral in the thirteenth century.

The lecture will begin with a brief review of some stational and processional liturgies in the first millennium, from fourth-century Jerusalem to seventh-century Rome and tenth-century Winchester. This will provide the background for discussion of processions at Salisbury in the later Middle Ages.

John Harper has spent the last ten years researching the experience of late medieval worship, especially in Salisbury Cathedral. He is emeritus director, the Royal School of Church Music, emeritus professor of music, Bangor University, and honorary professor at Birmingham University. He also leads the Sacred Music Studies research group.

Lecture begins at 7.30pm following drinks at 7pm. To book telephone reception on 01722 424800 or email info@sarum.ac.uk.