Was it fate that Osmund a Norman noble became the second bishop of Salisbury? We are standing before a testament to faith a place named in his honour St. Osmunds.
Osmund’s story is more than just a name. It is a journey from Normandy to England. It is about service as Lord Chancellor. It is about becoming a Bishop.
Osmund was born in Normandy. He accompanied William the Duke during the Norman conquest. Around 1070 he became Chancellor. He was a chief commissioner for the Domesday Book.
By authority of Pope Gregory VII Osmund became Bishop of Salisbury. Archbishop Lanfranc consecrated him around 3 June 1078. His diocese included Dorset Wiltshire and Berkshire. He absorbed former bishoprics.
William of Malmesbury described Salisbury as a fortress on a high hill. Peter of Blois called the castle and church an ark of God shut in Baal’s temple.
Osmund may have helped educate Henry I. Henry was often in Osmund’s company from 1080 to 1086.
Osmund was at the Great Gemot in 1086. Landowners swore fealty to the sovereign there. The Domesday Book was accepted.
Osmund died on 3 December 1099. Roger of Salisbury succeeded him after eight years. He was buried at Old Sarum. His remains moved to New Salisbury on 23 July 1457. They were put in the Lady Chapel. Henry VIII destroyed his shrine. A flat slab with MXCIX is now on the south side.
Osmund had threefold work. He built the cathedral at Old Sarum consecrated on 5 April 1092. He formed a cathedral body with dean precentor chancellor and treasurer. Thirty-two canons a subdean and succentor completed it. The canons advised the bishop carried out services and did missionary work. A school for clergy was formed. Osmund’s canons were known for music and learning.
Osmund formed the Sarum Use. He arranged offices and services. He revised Celtic-Anglo-Saxon rites and Roman rites. Sarum liturgical books were likely inspired by Rouen. The Ordinal of Osmund regulated Divine Office Mass and Calendar. It spread throughout England Wales Ireland and Scotland.
The Register of St. Osmund is a collection of documents. It includes the Consuetudinary and documents on the cathedral at Old Sarum. It includes the foundation of the cathedral body treasures and history of dependent churches.
William of Malmesbury praised Osmund’s chastity and lack of ambition. Osmund built a good library for his canons. He would scribe illuminate and bind books himself. Osmund initially thought Archbishop Anselm was too scrupulous. He sided with the king in 1095. Later he sided with the archbishop. He knelt before Anselm and received forgiveness.
Osmund revered St. Aldhelm. He helped Lanfranc obtain Aldhelm’s canonization. He kept a bone of St. Aldhelm at Sarum where miracles occurred.
The Bishop of Sarum and canons applied for Osmund’s canonization in 1228. Callistus III issued the bull on 1 January 1457. Sixtus IV granted an indulgence for visiting his cathedral in 1472. A convocation in 1481 fixed 4 December to commemorate him.
Osmund’s canonization took almost 230 years. He is remembered in the Church of England on 16 July. A statue commemorates him on Salisbury Cathedral’s west front.
This church St. Osmunds stands as a beacon. It reminds us of a man of faith service and lasting impact. His legacy continues through the ages.