Sarum Use: The Legacy of England's Medieval Liturgy
The Sarum Use refers to the distinct liturgical customs and texts developed at Salisbury Cathedral that once dominated the religious life of medieval England. While it was largely supplanted by centralized reforms, its influence persists today, weaving through the traditions of the Anglican Communion, the Roman Catholic Church, and even certain Orthodox congregations.
The Sarum Use and the English Reformation
The transition of the English Church away from Rome did not immediately erase the Sarum traditions. In 1543, the Canterbury Convocation declared that the Sarum Breviary—the book containing the daily prayers for the canonical hours—would continue to be used. During the reign of Edward VI, these materials provided the foundational structure for the Book of Common Prayer, ensuring that Sarum's influence remained embedded in English liturgies.
The trajectory of the rite shifted with changing monarchs. Mary I restored the Use of Sarum in 1553, but it declined again under Elizabeth I. By the end of the 16th century, the arrival of priests from Douai, who were trained in the Tridentine Use (the standardized liturgy of the Missale Romanum), led to the waning of Sarum's specific fasting requirements and rituals.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Modern Adoption and Academic Recovery
Despite its decline, the Sarum Use is still permitted for Roman Catholics. This is due to the apostolic constitution Quo primum, issued by Pope Pius V, which allowed the continuation of liturgical uses that were more than two hundred years old. While a brief resurgence occurred in the 19th century, it did not result in a full revival.
Interestingly, some Western Rite Orthodox congregations have adopted the use because of its antiquity and its similarities to the Byzantine Rite. This includes members of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia and the Old Calendarist Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia of North and South America and the British Isles.
The primary barrier to modern adoption has been the availability of texts, as most sources are in 16th-century Latin. However, several academic initiatives are bridging this gap:
- Bangor University (2009–2013): Produced films and resources as part of "The Experience of Worship" project.
- McMaster University (Started 2006): An ongoing project to create a complete English translation and edition of the Sarum Use, including original plainsong. This project has published over 10,000 musical works and was expected to conclude in 2022.
Influence on Anglo-Catholic Anglican Liturgy
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Oxford Movement—a trend toward Anglo-Catholicism within the Church of England—sought a formal liturgy that felt characteristically "English" rather than "Roman." This led to a revival of Sarum ornaments and ceremonial practices.
Proponents utilized the Ornaments Rubric of 1559, which mandated that church ornaments used in the second year of Edward VI's reign (January 1548 to January 1549) be retained. This authorized the use of traditional vestments, such as the alb, chasuble (or cope) for priests, and tunicles (dalmatics) for deacons.
The Anglican priest Percy Dearmer was a leading advocate for these customs, implementing his interpretations at St Mary the Virgin, Primrose Hill, in London. He detailed these practices in The Parson's Handbook. Today, this style of worship is still found in some Anglican churches and monasteries, referred to as "English Use" or "Prayer Book Catholicism."
Impact on Modern Catholic Liturgies
The legacy of Sarum extends into the modern Roman Catholic Church through the Personal Ordinariates, established for former Anglicans converting to Catholicism. Specific prayers from the Sarum Use were incorporated into Divine Worship: The Missal, most notably the Collect for Purity.
Key Facts
- Origin: Developed at Salisbury (Sarum), it was the dominant medieval liturgy in England.
- Reformation Link: Served as a foundation for the Book of Common Prayer under Edward VI.
- Legal Status: Permitted for Roman Catholics via Pope Pius V's Quo primum.
- Anglo-Catholicism: Revived via the Oxford Movement and Percy Dearmer's "English Use."
- Academic Effort: McMaster University has translated the rite and published over 10,000 musical works.
| Tradition | Nature of Influence | Key Example/Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Anglicanism | Foundational & Ceremonial | Book of Common Prayer; Ornaments Rubric |
| Roman Catholicism | Legal Permission & Integration | Quo primum; Divine Worship: The Missal |
| Western Rite Orthodox | Full Adoption | Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia |
| Academic/Musical | Preservation | McMaster University translation project |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sarum Use?
The Sarum Use is a medieval liturgical rite originating from Salisbury Cathedral that was widely used throughout England before the English Reformation.
How did the Sarum Use influence the Book of Common Prayer?
Under King Edward VI, the materials and structures of the Sarum Use provided the foundational content used to develop the Book of Common Prayer.
Who was Percy Dearmer?
Percy Dearmer was an Anglican priest and author of The Parson's Handbook who promoted the "English Use," a revival of Sarum-inspired ceremonial practices in the Anglican Church.
Is the Sarum Use still used by Roman Catholics?
Yes, it remains a permitted use under the apostolic constitution Quo primum, and some of its prayers are used in the missal for former Anglicans (Divine Worship: The Missal).
Why is the Sarum Use difficult to adopt today?
Modern adoption has been hindered because the original sources were published in 16th-century Latin, though academic projects at Bangor and McMaster Universities are currently improving accessibility.