Salisbury Cathedral#Cathedral constables

File:Richard Poore.jpg who oversaw the early years of its construction, beginning in 1220; he is holding a model of the cathedral]]

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File:Salisbury cathedral plan.jpgs with aisles and extended east end, but not the cloisters or chapter house]]

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Salisbury became the seat of a bishop in 1075. At the time, the city was at the now-abandoned site of Old Sarum, on a hill about {{Convert|2|mi|km}} north of the present-day cathedral. Old Sarum Cathedral was built in the years after and was consecrated in 1092.Hunt, William. "John de Villula" in the Dictionary of National Biography, Vol. XXIX. Smith, Elder, & Co. (London), 1892. Hosted at Wikisource. Accessed 3 Jan 2015.

In 1197, bishop Herbert Poore sought permission to re-site the cathedral, possibly due to deteriorating relations between the clergy and the military at Old Sarum.Frost (2009), [https://books.google.com/books?id=7ob-vsvZmHUC&pg=PA34 p. 34.]Robinson, J. Armitage. "Peter of Blois" in Somerset Historical Essays, pp. 128 f. Oxford University Press (London), 1921. Permission was granted but the move was delayed repeatedly until the tenure of his successor and brother Richard Poore.Evans, p. 10-11 A legend tells that Bishop Poore shot an arrow in the direction he would build the cathedral; the arrow hit a deer, which died in the place where Salisbury Cathedral is now.{{efn|The cathedral crossing, Old Sarum, and Stonehenge are reputed to be aligned on a ley line, although Clive L. N. Ruggles asserts that the site, on marshland, was chosen because a preferred site several miles to the west could not be obtained.{{cite book |title=Ancient Astronomy: An Encyclopedia of Cosmologies and Mythbooks |first1=Clive L. N. |last1=Ruggles |year=2005 |isbn=9781851094776 |type=Hardcover |publisher=ABC-CLIO |language=English |page=225 |quote=A notorious example...a ley line joining Stonehenge (third millennium B.C.E.), Old Sarum (first millennium B.C.E.), and Salisbury cathedral (C.E. 1220).}}}}

Construction was paid for by donations, principally from the canons and vicars of southeast England, who were asked to contribute a fixed annual sum until the building was completed.Evans, p. 13 The foundation stones were laid on 28 April 1220 by William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, and by Ela of Salisbury, 3rd Countess of Salisbury.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=The life of Ela, Countess of Salisbury |url=https://wshc.org.uk/blog/item/the-life-of-ela-countess-of-salisbury.html |website=Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre |date=15 September 2015 |access-date=24 April 2023}}Evans, p. 15 Much of the freestone for the cathedral came from the Teffont Evias Quarry.Sylvanus Urban, wd., The Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle (1830), [https://books.google.com/books?id=WLQUAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA105 p. 105] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307063747/https://books.google.com/books?id=WLQUAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA105 |date=7 March 2017 }} online at books.google.com As a result of the high water table on the new site, the cathedral was built on foundations only {{convert|4|ft|m}} deep. By 1258, the nave, transepts, and choir were complete.{{Cite web |title=Engineering Timelines - Salisbury Cathedral spire |url=http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=113#:~:text=Salisbury%20Cathedral%20was%20built%20between,was%20constructed%20a%20little%20later. |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=www.engineering-timelines.com}} As a result of being mostly built in only 38 years, Salisbury has by far the most consistent architectural style of any medieval English cathedral.{{cite book|last1=Fletcher|first1=Banister |author-link1=Banister Fletcher (senior)|last2=Fletcher|first2=Banister |author-link2=Banister Fletcher (junior)|title=A History of Architecture on the Comparative Method for the Student, Craftsman, and Amateur|url=https://archive.org/stream/historyofarchite00fletuoft| year=1905|publisher=Batsford|location=London}}{{cite book|last=Harvey|first=John |author-link=John Harvey (historian)|title=English Cathedrals|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OrIfAQAAMAAJ|year=1961|publisher=Batsford}} The style used is known as Early English Gothic or Lancet Gothic, the latter referring to the use of lancet windows which are not divided by tracery.{{cite book|last=Clifton-Taylor|first=Alec |author-link=Alec Clifton-Taylor|title=The Cathedrals of England|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KbOJj_Pi92QC|year=1986|publisher=Thames and Hudson|isbn=978-0-500-20062-9}}{{cite book|last1=Tatton-Brown|first1=Tim |last2=Crook|first2=John |title=The English cathedral|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wkY3AQAAIAAJ|year=2002|publisher=New Holland|isbn=978-1-84330-120-2}}

The only major sections begun later were the cloisters, added in 1240, the chapter house in 1263, the tower and spire, which at {{convert|404|ft|m}} dominated the skyline from 1330.{{cite web |url=https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/history/adding-spire |title=Adding the Spire. |publisher=Salisbury Cathedral Website |date=13 September 2018 |access-date=13 September 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913223554/https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/history/adding-spire |archive-date=13 September 2018}} In total, 70,000 tons of stone, 3,000 tons of timber and 450 tons of lead were used in the construction of the cathedral.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/architecture_cathedral_01.shtml#three|title=The Cathedrals of Britain|website=BBC History|access-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105174526/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/architecture_cathedral_01.shtml#three|archive-date=5 January 2018|url-status=live}} Upon completion, it had the highest masonry spire in England and the third highest overall, after Lincoln and St Paul's. The collapse of the latter two spires in the mid-16th century left Salisbury's as the highest overall.{{citation needed|date=February 2025|reason= some dispute; see talk page}}

In the 17th century, Christopher Wren designed restoration measures to strengthen the central pillars, which by then had visibly deformed under the weight of the tower and spire. Significant changes to the cathedral were made by the architect James Wyatt in 1790, including the replacement of the original rood screen and demolition of a bell tower which stood about {{convert|320|ft|m}} northwest of the main building.

In 2008, the cathedral celebrated the 750th anniversary of its consecration.{{cite web|url=http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/press-release-archive/salisbury-cathedrals-750th-anniversary-open-day-overwhelming-success |title=Salisbury Cathedral's 750th Anniversary Open Day An Overwhelming Success |publisher=Salisbury Cathedral |language=en |date=28 April 2008 |access-date=19 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208125528/http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/press-release-archive/salisbury-cathedrals-750th-anniversary-open-day-overwhelming-success |archive-date=8 December 2015 }} In 2023, the completion of a programme of external restoration begun in 1985 saw the removal of scaffolding that had stood around the building for some 37 years.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-somerset-66753871|first1=Emma |last1=Colman|first2=Dawn|last2=Limbu|title=Salisbury Cathedral restoration complete after four decades|work=BBC News|date=10 September 2023|access-date=25 June 2024}}

The cathedral previously employed five cathedral constables (known as "Close Constables"), whose duties mainly concerned the maintenance of law and order in the cathedral close. They were made redundant in 2010 as part of cost-cutting measures.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7928053/Anger-after-Salisbury-Cathedral-Constables-scrapped-to-save-money.html|title=Anger after Salisbury Cathedral Constables 'scrapped to save money'|last=Hough|first=Andrew|date=6 August 2010|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=24 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025051006/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7928053/Anger-after-Salisbury-Cathedral-Constables-scrapped-to-save-money.html|archive-date=25 October 2013|url-status=live}} The constables were first appointed when the cathedral became a liberty in 1611 and survived until the introduction of municipal police forces in 1835 with the Municipal Corporations Act.{{cite web|url=http://www.cathedralconstables.co.uk/pb/wp_04804f3d/wp_04804f3d.html|title=Salisbury Cathedral Close Constables|publisher=Cathedral Constables' Association|access-date=24 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911220717/http://www.cathedralconstables.co.uk/pb/wp_04804f3d/wp_04804f3d.html|archive-date=11 September 2011|url-status=live}} In 1800 they were given the power, along with the city constables, to execute any justices' or court orders requiring the conveyance of prisoners to or from the county jail (at Fisherton Anger, then outside the city of Salisbury) as if it were the city jail (and, in so doing, they were made immune from any legal action for acting outside their respective jurisdictions).{{cite web|url=http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/gaols.pdf|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110202093443/http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/gaols.pdf|title=Statute Law Revision: Gaols: Repeal Proposals|date=April 2006|publisher=Law Commission|access-date=17 June 2011|archive-date=2 February 2011}} The right of the cathedral, as a liberty, to maintain a separate police force was conclusively terminated by the Local Government Act 1888.[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1888/pdf/ukpga_18880041_en.pdf section 48(3)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208084146/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1888/pdf/ukpga_18880041_en.pdf |date=8 December 2009 }}, Local Government Act 1888[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1888/pdf/ukpga_18880041_en.pdf section 119(4)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208084146/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1888/pdf/ukpga_18880041_en.pdf |date=8 December 2009 }}, Local Government Act 1888

Between 1864 and 1953 there were records of peregrine falcons being present at the cathedral. More arrived in 2013 and have been hatching every year since with their nests on the cathedral's tower.{{cite web|url=https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/visit-what-see/peregrine-falcons-0|title=Peregrine Falcons {{!}} Salisbury Cathedral|website=www.salisburycathedral.org.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704063448/https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/visit-what-see/peregrine-falcons-0|archive-date=4 July 2018|url-status=live}}

In 2016, the cathedral chapter placed Sophie Ryder's sculpture The Kiss (of a pair of hands) straddling a path in the grounds. It was moved shortly thereafter, due to pedestrians colliding with it while texting.{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/20/this-20ft-statue-had-to-be-moved-because-people-walked-into-it-while-texting-5707564/#ixzz40ojL2ErO|title=This 20ft statue had to be moved because people walked into it while texting|last=Burke|first=Dave|date=20 February 2016|newspaper=Metro|access-date=3 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704063550/https://metro.co.uk/2016/02/20/this-20ft-statue-had-to-be-moved-because-people-walked-into-it-while-texting-5707564/#ixzz40ojL2ErO|archive-date=4 July 2018|url-status=live}} In 2018 there was an attempted theft of the cathedral's copy of Magna Carta; the alarms were triggered and a 45-year-old man was later detained on suspicion of attempted theft, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon. The outer layer of a double-layered glass case containing the document was broken, but the document suffered no damage.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-45991475|title=Man arrested for Magna Carta theft attempt at Salisbury Cathedral|work=BBC News|date=26 October 2018|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026101516/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-45991475|archive-date=26 October 2018|url-status=live}} In January 2020 Mark Royden, from Kent, was found guilty of the attempted theft, which caused £14,466 of damage, and of criminal damage.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-51315721|title=Man found guilty of trying to steal Magna Carta|date=2020-01-30|work=BBC News: Wiltshire|access-date=2020-01-31|language=en-GB}}

From 16 January 2021, while closed to services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the cathedral was used to accommodate the vaccination programme in the United Kingdom, a day after Lichfield Cathedral became the first place of worship to become part of the immunisation plan against the pandemic in England.{{Cite news|last=Morris|first=Steven|date=2021-01-16|title=Covid vaccine jabs accompanied by organ music at Salisbury Cathedral|language=en|website=The Guardian|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/16/covid-jabs-to-be-accompanied-by-organ-music-at-salisbury-cathedral|access-date=2021-01-16|archive-url=|archive-date=}}{{Cite news|date=2021-01-15|title=Covid-19: Lichfield Cathedral turned into vaccination centre|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-55683025|access-date=2021-01-16}} A selection of music was played on the organ as people received their vaccinations. In February 2024, the full exterior of the cathedral could be seen for the first time in 38 years after the removal of scaffolding that had been erected for extensive renovation works.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-68276414|title=Salisbury Cathedral finally sheds exterior scaffolding|website=BBC News |date=13 February 2024|access-date=13 February 2024}}

The cathedral is described in Pevsner as the beau idéal of Early English Gothic design with a unity and coherence unique among English cathedrals.{{cite book|first1=Julian|last1=Orbach|first2=Nikolaus|last2=Pevsner|first3=Bridget|last3=Cherry|author2-link=Nikolaus Pevsner|author3-link=Bridget Cherry|title=Wiltshire|series=Pevsner Architectural Guides|url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/1255836347|year=2021|location=New Haven, US and London, UK|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-25120-3|pages=534–537}}

{{main|Table of the Statuary of the West Front of Salisbury Cathedral}}

File:Catedral de Salisbury, Salisbury, Inglaterra, 2014-08-12, DD 56.JPG

The west front is of the screen-type, clearly deriving from that at Wells. It is composed of a stair turret at each extremity, with two niched buttresses nearer the centre line supporting the large central triple window. The stair turrets are topped with spirelets, and the central section is topped by a gable which contains four lancet windows topped by two round quatrefoil windows surmounted by a mandorla containing Christ in Majesty. At ground level there is a principal door flanked by two smaller doors. The whole is highly decorated with quatrefoil motifs, columns, trefoil motifs and bands of diapering.

The west front was almost certainly constructed at the same time as the cathedral.{{cite book| last1=Tatton-Brown| first1=Tim| last2=Crook| first2=John| date=25 June 2009| title=Salisbury Cathedral: The Making of a Medieval Masterpiece| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pxI3AQAAIAAJ&q=west+front| publisher=Scala| isbn=978-1-85759-550-5| page=70|url-access=subscription }} This is apparent from the way in which the windows coincide with the interior spaces. The entire facade is about {{convert|108|ft|m}} high and wide. It lacks full-scale towers and/or spires as can be seen, for example at Wells, Lincoln, Lichfield, etc.{{cite book| last1=Rodwell| first1=Warwick| last2=Bentley| first2=James| year=1984| title=Our Christian Heritage| publisher=George Philip| isbn=978-0540010783| page=[https://archive.org/details/ourchristianheri00warw/page/109 109]| url-access=registration| url=https://archive.org/details/ourchristianheri00warw/page/109}} The façade was disparaged by Alec Clifton-Taylor, who considered it the least successful of the English screen facades and a travesty of its prototype (Wells). He found the composition to be uncoordinated, and the Victorian statuary "poor and insipid".{{cite book| last=Clifton-Taylor| first=Alec| year=1970| title=The Cathedrals of England| publisher=Thames & Hudson| page=105| isbn=9780809617685| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KeDVAAAAMAAJ&q=salisbury|url-access=subscription }}

The front accommodates over 130 shallow niches of varying sizes, 73 of which contain a statue. The line of niches extends round the turrets to the north, south and east faces. There are five levels of niches (not including the mandorla) which show, from the top, angels and archangels, Old Testament patriarchs, apostles and evangelists, martyrs, doctors and philosophers and, on the lower level, royalty, priests and worthy people connected with the cathedral. The majority of the statues were placed during the middle of the 19th century, however seven are from the 14th century and several have been installed within the last decade.

File:Salisbury Cathedral Nave, Wiltshire, UK - Diliff.jpg

Salisbury Cathedral is unusual for its tall and narrow nave, which has visual accentuation from the use of light grey Chilmark stone for the walls and dark polished Purbeck marble for the columns. It has three levels: a tall pointed arcade, an open gallery and a small clerestory.{{cite web|title=Salisbury Cathedral|url=http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/salisbury-cathedral|website=Sacred Destinations|access-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023104846/http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/salisbury-cathedral|archive-date=23 October 2014|url-status=live}} Lined up between the pillars are notable tombs such as that of William Longespée, half brother of King John and the illegitimate son of Henry II, who was the first person to be buried in the cathedral.{{cite web|title=Salisbury Cathedral|url=http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/wiltshire/churches/Salisbury-Cathedral.htm|website=Britain Express|access-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904184446/http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/wiltshire/churches/Salisbury-Cathedral.htm|archive-date=4 September 2014|url-status=live}}

Another unusual feature of the nave is an unconventional modern font, installed in September 2008.{{cite web|title=Salisbury Cathedral's new 'Funky Font'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2008/09/05/salisbury_designer_font_feature.shtml|website=BBC News|access-date=23 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823170503/http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2008/09/05/salisbury_designer_font_feature.shtml|archive-date=23 August 2019|url-status=live}} Designed by the water sculptor William Pye, it is the largest working font in any British cathedral, and replaced an earlier portable neo-Gothic Victorian font. The font is cruciform in shape, and has a 10-foot-wide vessel filled to its brim with water, designed so that the water overflows in filaments through each corner into bronze gratings embedded in the cathedral's stone floor. The project cost £180,000 and was funded entirely by donations. Some parishioners reportedly objected to the new font, considering it 'change for change's sake', although Pye argued that the majority opinion was in favour: "I would say 90 per cent are in happy anticipation, five per cent are nervously expectant and five per cent are probably apoplectic".{{cite news|title=Salisbury Cathedral: funky font makes a big splash|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/3637709/Salisbury-Cathedral-funky-font-makes-a-big-splash.html|website=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=23 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823163059/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/3637709/Salisbury-Cathedral-funky-font-makes-a-big-splash.html|archive-date=23 August 2019|url-status=live|date=15 August 2008|last1=Wright|first1=Michael}}

Image:Salisbury cathedral (15885090173).jpg

Although the spire is the cathedral's most impressive feature, it has proved troublesome. Together with the tower, it added {{convert|6,397|LT|MT}} to the weight of the building. Without the addition of buttresses, bracing arches and anchor irons over the succeeding centuries, it would have suffered the fate of spires on other great ecclesiastical buildings (such as Malmesbury Abbey, 1180 to 1500; Lincoln Cathedral, 1311 to 1548; Old St Paul's Cathedral, London, 1314 to 1561; and Chichester Cathedral, 1402 to 1861) and fallen down; instead, Salisbury became the tallest church spire in the country on the collapse at St Paul's (as the result of a fire) in 1561. The large supporting pillars at the corners of the spire are seen to bend inwards under the stress. The addition of reinforcing tie-beams above the crossing, designed by Christopher Wren in 1668, halted further deformation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britainexpress.com/Where_to_go_in_Britain/Destination_Library/salisbury.htm|title=Salisbury, Wiltshire|last=Ross|first=David|website=Britain Express|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514093550/https://www.britainexpress.com/Where_to_go_in_Britain/Destination_Library/salisbury.htm|archive-date=14 May 2019|url-status=live|access-date=2019-05-14}} The beams were hidden by a false ceiling installed below the lantern stage of the tower.

The bell chamber is in the middle level of the tower. The bells strike the hour and quarters and are now operated by a Victorian clock, which is not to be confused with the better-known medieval clock that is on display downstairs. Salisbury is one of only three English cathedrals to lack a ring of bells, the others being Norwich Cathedral and Ely Cathedral.

Visitors can access the tower by taking the "Tower Tour", allowing them to climb as high as the base of the spire. From this level, there is a view of the interior of the hollow spire and the ancient wooden scaffolding inside it. There are 332 steps from ground level to the base of the spire, ascending a height of {{convert|225|ft|m|0}}.

Maintenance workers have sometimes climbed the spire, including to service the aircraft warning light and weather station at the summit. The first {{convert|144|ft|m|0}} of the spire can be climbed by internal ladders. The remaining {{convert|39|ft|m|0}} requires climbing out of a small door and up the exterior. In 2010, Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton climbed the spire to assist in the changing of the lights.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/wiltshire/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9238000/9238631.stm|publisher=BBC|title=Blue Peter star scales cathedral to change light bulbs |date=29 November 2010|access-date=16 February 2024|archive-url=|archive-date=}}

File:Chapter house interior 1979.jpg

The chapter house is notable for its octagonal shape, slender central pillar and decorative medieval frieze. It was redecorated in 1855–1859 by William Burges. The frieze, which circles the interior above the stalls, depicts scenes and stories from the books of Genesis and Exodus, including Adam and Eve, Noah, the Tower of Babel, and Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The chapter house displays the best-preserved of the four surviving original copies of Magna Carta.{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/magna-carta-where-to-visit-the-four-surviving-originals-10002631.html |title=Magna Carta: Where to visit the four surviving originals |work=The Independent |access-date=7 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607164105/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/magna-carta-where-to-visit-the-four-surviving-originals-10002631.html |archive-date=7 June 2019 |url-status=live |date=26 January 2015 }} This copy came to Salisbury because Elias of Dereham, who was present at Runnymede in 1215, was given the task of distributing some of the original copies. Elias later became a canon of Salisbury and supervised the construction of the cathedral.

{{Main|Salisbury Cathedral clock}}

File:Salisbury Cathedral, medieval clock.JPG

The Salisbury Cathedral clock, which dates from about AD 1386, is supposedly the oldest working modern clock in the world.{{cite web|title=What to See |website=Salisbury Cathedral |url=https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/discover/what-to-see/|access-date=8 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228152235/https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/discover/what-to-see/|archive-date=2025-02-28|url-status=live}} The clock has no face; all clocks of that date rang out the hours on a bell. It was originally in a bell tower that was demolished in 1792. Following this demolition, the clock was moved to the Cathedral Tower, where it was in operation until 1884. The clock was then placed in storage and forgotten until it was discovered in an attic of the cathedral in 1928. It was repaired and restored to working order in 1956, and is now displayed in the nave. In 2007, remedial work and repairs were carried out.{{cite web |title=Friends keep clock ticking |publisher=Salisbury Cathedral |url=http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/news.php?id=239 |access-date=17 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321062042/http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/news.php?id=239 |archive-date=21 March 2008 |url-status=dead}}

The cathedral close surrounds the cathedral, with the largest area to its western side. The close itself is bounded by Broad Walk and the West Walk, with the larger boundaries comprising North Walk, Bishops Walk, with Exeter Street to its east, and De Vaux Place to the south.{{cite web|url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/mompesson-house/a-walk-around-cathedral-close-salisbury|title=A walk around Cathedral Close, Salisbury|publisher=National Trust|access-date=24 June 2024}} The close contains a large number of listed buildings. The size of the close, Britain's largest, and the range of historic buildings within it, make it "unrivalled in Britain in terms of scale and beauty".{{cite web|url=https://www.salisburyclosepreservation.org/|title=Salisbury Cathedral Close|publisher=Salisbury Cathedral Close Preservation Society|access-date=25 June 2024}} Pevsner describes it as "the most beautiful of England's closes". The close has a preservation society dedicated to its protection. Entry is from the High Street through the North Gate, listed at Grade I.{{NHLE|num=1023612|desc=North Gate|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} The High Street ends at Choristers Square which has seven buildings listed at Grade I: Mompesson House, now owned by the National Trust and operated as a museum,{{NHLE|desc=Mompesson House|num=1355808|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} and its fronting wall and gates;{{NHLE|desc=Screen wall, rails, piers, gates and overthrow in front of Mompesson House|num=1253989 |grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} the College of Matrons;{{NHLE|num=1355846|desc=College of Matrons|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} the walls, gates and piers to Nos. 39 to 46;{{NHLE|num=1253963|desc=Forecourt Walls, Gate Piers and Gates of Nos. 39 to 46|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} Hemingsby House;{{NHLE|num=1355811|desc=Hemingsby House|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} Wren Hall;{{NHLE|num=1023620|desc=Wren Hall|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} and Braybrooke House.{{NHLE|num=1023622|desc=Braybrooke House|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} Grade II* listed buildings on the High Street and in Choristers Square include: Nos. 48, 48A, 50 and 50A, which flank the North Gate;{{NHLE|num=1253969|desc=48 and 48A, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}}{{NHLE|num=1355807|desc=50 and 50A, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}} 51, 52 and 53A;{{NHLE|desc=No.s 51 and 52 The Close|num=1261505|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}}{{NHLE|num=1023613|desc=No. 53A, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}} Nos. 55 and 55A;{{NHLE|num=1023616|desc=No. 55, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}}{{NHLE|desc=No. 55A, The Close|num=1023617|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}} a former stable block;{{NHLE|num=1253963|desc=Former stable block, now garage of No.s 56A and 56B|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}} and the Hungerford Chantry.{{NHLE|num=1023614|desc=Hungerford Chantry|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}} Grade II listed buildings on the square include: the walls and gates to No. 54;{{NHLE|num=1355809|desc=East Boundary Wall to Back Garden of No. 54|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}}{{NHLE|num=1023615|desc=Garden Wall and Gate in Front of No. 54|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}} No. 55;{{NHLE|num=1355810|desc=Forecourt Wall, Rails, Piers and Gate of No. 55|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}} Nos. 56A, B,{{NHLE|num=1023618|desc=Wall and Gates with Rails in Front of 56A and 56B|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}} and C;{{NHLE|num=1023621|desc=Boundary Wall to Pavement and Gates of No. 56C|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}} Nos. 57, 57A and 57B;{{NHLE|num=1023623|desc=Boundary Wall and Gate to Nos. 57, 57A and 57B|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}} and No. 58;{{NHLE|num=1023624|desc=Garden Wall and Gate Piers of No. 58|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}} and a K6 telephone kiosk.{{NHLE|num=1272821|desc=K6 Telephone Kiosk|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}}

The close proper is bounded by the West Walk and the Broad Walk. It contains six Grade I listed buildings; The King's House, which is now home of Salisbury Museum;{{NHLE|num=1355814|desc=The King's House and College of Sarum St Michael|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} Myles Place, No. 68, and its fronting walls;{{NHLE|num=1261304|desc=No. 68, The Close|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}}{{NHLE|num=1023629|desc=Retaining wall, screen railings, piers and gates to front garden of 68, The Close|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} the Walton Canonry;{{NHLE|num=1261267|desc=Walton Canonry|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} the Leaden Hall{{NHLE|num=1355816|desc=The Leaden Hall|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} and the South Gate.{{NHLE|num=1240556|desc=South or Harnham Gate and South Gate House|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} There are also six buildings listed Grade II*: The Wardrobe, which houses a military museum;{{NHLE|num=1254383|desc=The Wardrobe|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}} Arundells, the former home of Edward Heath;{{NHLE|num=1254399|desc=Arundells|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}} the North Canonry and Gatehouse;{{NHLE|num=1261322|desc=The North Canonry and the Gatehouse|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}} the Old Deanery;{{NHLE|num=1254416|desc=College of Sarum St Michael the Old Deanery|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}} Nos. 68A and 73;{{NHLE|num=1023628|desc=No. 68A, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}}{{NHLE|num=1023634|desc=No. 73, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}} and De Vaux House.{{NHLE|num=1259073|desc=De Vaux House|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}} There are 19 Grade II listed buildings in the close. These include: the gates and stables to Arundells;{{NHLE|num=1355812|desc=Stable Block of No. 59 (Arundalls)|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}}{{NHLE|num=1023625|desc=Screen Wall, Rails, Gate Piers, Gates and Overthrow of No. 59 (Arundalls)|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}} the gates and garden house at The North Canonry, No. 60;{{NHLE|num=1355813|desc=Gate in Centre of Wall Dividing Garden at Beginning of Walk Down to River, of No. 60|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}}{{NHLE|num=1023626|desc=Garden House of No 60 (North Canonry)|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}} the College of Sarum St Michael, and its gates;{{NHLE|num=1254423|desc=College of Sarum St Michael|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}}{{NHLE|num=1023627|desc=Gate Piers and Gates and over Throw of Former No. 62 (College of Sarum St Michael)|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}} urns in the garden of No. 68;{{NHLE|num=1355815|desc=Two urns in front garden of 68, The Close|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}} the gates and walling to No. 69;{{NHLE|num=1023630|desc=Forecourt wall, piers, gates and overthrow of 69 The Close|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}} the lodges, gates and walls to No. 70;{{NHLE|num=1355817|desc=Boundary wall of 70 The Close running to south along road|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}}{{NHLE|num=1254461|desc=Garden walls of 70 The Close on south side of house including fragments of original structure|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}} Nos. 71, 71A and 71B and their boundary walls;*No. 71, The Close, Entrance into screen walls, gate piers and overthrow: {{NHLE|num=1260983|desc=No. 71, The Close, Entrance into screen walls, gate piers and overthrow|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *Nos. 71A and 71B, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1023633|desc=Nos. 71A and 71B, The Close|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *Boundary wall and gateway to north of 71A and 71B The Close, along West Walk: {{NHLE|num=1355818|desc=Boundary wall and gateway to north of 71A and 71B The Close, along West Walk|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *Dwarf wall, rails, piers, gates and overthrow to road across front of 70 The Close: {{NHLE|num=1240488|desc=Dwarf wall, rails, piers, gates and overthrow to road across front of 70 The Close|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *Gate lodges to road and archway and screen wall along north side of front garden of 70, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1023631|desc=Gate lodges to road and archway and screen wall along north side of front garden of 70, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} the South Canonry;{{NHLE|num=1023632|desc=South Canonry|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}} No. 72 The Close;{{NHLE|num=1240553|desc=No. 72, The Close|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}} and Nos. 1-7 De Vaux Place.{{NHLE|num=1023643|desc=Nos. 1-6 De Vaux Place|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}}{{NHLE|num=1023644|desc=No. 7 De Vaux Place|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}}

Between De Vaux Place and the cathedral stands Salisbury Cathedral School, the main building of which, originally the Bishop's Palace, is listed at Grade I.{{NHLE|num=1251561|desc=Salisbury Cathedral School|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} The school lodge, and its adjoining wall, as well as a wall opposite surrounding the cathedral lawn, are all listed at Grade II.*Lodge and gatepiers at north entrance to Cathedral School: {{NHLE|num=1023583|desc=Lodge and gatepiers at north entrance to Cathedral School|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *Wall running north of lodge: {{NHLE|num=1355831|desc=Wall running north of lodge|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *Churchyard walls surrounding cathedral Lawn: {{NHLE|num=1023582|desc=Churchyard walls surrounding cathedral Lawn|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} Continuing north along Bishop's Walk are five more listed structures; No. 5, The Close, listed II*,{{NHLE|num=1251965|desc=No. 5, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}} and its garden wall and bollards, both listed at Grade II;{{NHLE|num=1251993|desc=Garden wall in front of No. 5, The Close|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}}{{NHLE|num=1023585|desc=Bollards in front of No. 5, The Close|grade=II|access-date=24 June 2024}} and the Diocesan Registry, and The Deanery, both listed at Grade II*.{{NHLE|num=1355832|desc=Diocesan Registry|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}}{{NHLE|num=1252023|desc=The Deanery|grade=II*|access-date=24 June 2024}} The eastern boundary of the close follows Exeter Street, and contains four listed structures, all at Grade I. These are: the boundary wall itself;{{NHLE|num=1251543|desc=The Close Wall|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} Bishops Gate and St Anne's Gate;{{NHLE|num=1355830|desc=Bishop's Gate|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}}{{NHLE|num=1355835|desc=St Annes Gate|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} and Malmesbury House.{{NHLE|num=1252102|desc=Malmesbury House|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}}

The northern end of the close terminates with the North Walk. This has one Grade I listed building, Sarum College, at No. 19, The Close.{{NHLE|num=1023595|desc=Sarum College|grade=I|access-date=24 June 2024}} There are 23 Grade II* buildings: Nos. 8, 9, 11, 12, 14 and 14A, 16 to 18 inclusive, 20 and 21, 23 to 27 inclusive, 29, 30, 31, 33 to 36 inclusive, and 38.*No. 8, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1023586|desc=No. 8, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 9, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1355833|desc=No. 9, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 11, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1023587|desc=No. 11, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 12, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1355834|desc=No. 12, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No.s 14 and 14A, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1262463|desc=No.s 14 and 14A, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 16, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1252131|desc=No. 16, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 17, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1252153|desc=No. 17, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 18, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1023594|desc=No. 18, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 20, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1023596|desc=No. 20, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *Nos. 21 and 21A, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1023597|desc=No.s 21 and 21A, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 23, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1253075|desc=No. 23, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 24, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1023602|desc=No. 24, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 25, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1023603|desc=No. 25, The Clos|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 26, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1355841|desc=No. 26, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 27, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1261925|desc=No. 27, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 29, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1253156|desc=No. 29, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 30, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1023606|desc=No. 30, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 31, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1355843|desc=No. 31, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 33, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1023607|desc=No. 33, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 34, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1355844|desc=No. 34, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *Nos. 35 and 35A, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1023608|desc=No.s 35 and 35A, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *Nos. 36A and 36B, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1253217|desc=No.s 36A and 36B, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 38, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1023610|desc=No. 38, The Close|grade=II*|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} Buildings listed Grade II include: No. 10; the stableyard surface and gates to No. 11; No. 13; the forecourt walls to Malmesbury House; the garden walls and gateway to No. 16, two sets of walls at No. 17, the walls at Nos. 18 and 19, railings and gates at; the stables to Nos. 21 and 21A, its gate piers, its garden wall, and a commemorative arch set into the wall; No. 22; the railings to Nos. 25 and 26; No. 28; the railings to No. 31 and the wall to Nos. 32 and 33; the railings to Nos. 36A and 36B and 37.*No. 10, The Close {{NHLE|num=1252031|desc=No. 10, The Close|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 11, The Close, Stableyard surface: {{NHLE|num=1252042|desc=No. 11, The Close, Stableyard surface|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 11, The Close, Stableyard gates: {{NHLE|num=1023588|desc=No. 11, The Close, Stableyard gates|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 13, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1023589|desc=No. 13, The Close|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *Malmesbury House, Forecourt walls: {{NHLE|num=1023591|desc=Malmesbury House, Forecourt walls|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 16, The Close, Gateway: {{NHLE|num=1023592|desc=No. 16, The Close, Gateway|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 16, The Close, Garden wall: {{NHLE|num=1355836|desc=No. 16, The Close, Garden wall|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 17, The Close, Party wall: {{NHLE|num=1023593|desc=No. 17, The Close, Party wall|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 17, The Close, Garden wall: {{NHLE|num=1355837|desc=No. 17, The Close, Garden wall|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 18, The Close, Garden wall: {{NHLE|num=1355838|desc=No. 18, The Close, Garden wall|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 19, The Close, Garden wall: {{NHLE|num=1355839|desc=No. 19, The Close, Garden wall|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 20, The Close:, Railings and gates {{NHLE|num=1355840|desc=No. 20, The Close, Railings and gates|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *Nos. 21 and 21A, The Close, Stables: {{NHLE|num=1023598|desc=Nos. 21 and 21A, Stables|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No.s 21 and 21A, The Close, Gatepiers: {{NHLE|num=1023600|desc=Nos. 21 and 21A, The Close, Gatepiers|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *Nos. 21 and 21A, The Close, Garden wall: {{NHLE|num=1253070|desc=Nos. 21 and 21A, The Close, Garden wall|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *Nos. 21 and 21A, The Close, Commemorative arch: {{NHLE|num=1023599|desc=Nos. 21 and 21A, The Close, Commemorative arch|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 22, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1023601|desc=No. 22, The Close|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 25, The Close, Railings: {{NHLE|num=1253077|desc=No. 25, The Close, Railings|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 26, The Close, Railings: {{NHLE|num=1023604|desc=No. 26, The Close, Railings|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 27, The Close, Railings: {{NHLE|num=1023605|desc=No. 27, The Close, Railings|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 28, The Close: {{NHLE|num=1355842|desc=No. 28, The Close|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 31, The Close, Railings: {{NHLE|num=1261929|desc=No. 31, The Close, Railings|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *Nos. 32 and 33, The Close, Garden wall: {{NHLE|num=1253213|desc=Nos. 32 and 33, The Close, Garden wall|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No.s 36A and 36B, The Close, Railings: {{NHLE|num=1023609|desc=Nos. 36A and 36B, The Close, Railings|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}} *No. 37, The Close, Railings: {{NHLE|num=1261884|desc=No. 37, The Close, Railings|grade=II|access-date=25 June 2024|ref=none}}

File:Salisbury Cathedral from the Bishop Grounds c.1825.jpg, c. 1825]]

File:Painting of Salisbury Cathedral 2018.jpg

The cathedral is the subject of a famous painting by John Constable. As a gesture of appreciation for John Fisher, Bishop of Salisbury, who commissioned this painting, Constable included the bishop and his wife in the canvas (bottom left). The view depicted in the painting has changed very little in almost two centuries.

The cathedral is apparently the inspiration for William Golding's novel The Spire, in which the fictional Dean Jocelin makes the building of a cathedral spire his life's work. The construction of the cathedral is an important plot point in Edward Rutherfurd's historical novel Sarum, which explores the historical settlement of the Salisbury area. The cathedral has been mentioned{{cite web

|url = http://www.ken-follett.com/pote/kingsbridge.html

|title = Is Kingsbridge Real?

|last = Follett

|first = Ken

|website = www.ken-follett.com

|access-date = 10 April 2011

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120623051756/http://www.ken-follett.com/pote/kingsbridge.html

|archive-date = 23 June 2012

|url-status = dead

|df = dmy-all

}} by the author Ken Follett as one of two models for the fictional Kingsbridge Cathedral in his historical novel The Pillars of the Earth. It was also used for some external shots in the 2010 miniseries based on Follett's book and was shown as it is today in the final scene. Another mention of this cathedral was made by Jonathan Swift in Gulliver's Travels, part II, chapter IV, making a comparison between its spire and the tower of the main temple of Lorbrulgrud, Brobdingnag's capital.

In 1990, Channel 4 marked the official launch of its NICAM stereo service with a live broadcast of Mahler's 9th Symphony from the cathedral.{{cite book |title=Mahler's 8th Symphony |type=TV programme |date=28 July 1990 |publisher=Television South ITV |location=Southampton}} The cathedral was the setting for the 2005 BBC television drama Mr. Harvey Lights a Candle, written by Rhidian Brook and directed by Susanna White. Kevin McCloud climbed the cathedral in his programme called Don't Look Down! in which he climbed high structures to conquer his fear of heights. The cathedral was the subject of a Channel 4 Time Team programme which was first broadcast on 8 February 2009.

The cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Salisbury and is the seat of the Bishop of Salisbury. The Right Reverend Stephen Lake was installed as bishop in 2022.{{cite web |date=13 January 2022 |title=Appointment of Bishop of Salisbury |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/appointment-of-bishop-of-salisbury-13-january-2022 |publisher=Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street |access-date=25 June 2024}} The Dean is Nicholas Papadopulos, installed in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/news/installation-canon-nicholas-papadopulos-dean|title=Installation of Canon Nicholas Papadopulos as Dean|website=Salisbury Cathedral|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224220225/https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/news/installation-canon-nicholas-papadopulos-dean|archive-date=24 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=24 December 2018}} The Canon Precentor is Anna Macham, installed in 2019,{{Cite web |url=https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/worship-music-liturgy-salisbury/precentor |title=Precentor |access-date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=14 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214165423/https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/worship-music-liturgy-salisbury/precentor |url-status=dead }} the Canon Chancellor is Ed Probert, installed in 2004{{cite web |url=http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/news.archive.php?id=88 |title=Salisbury Cathedral – New Chancellor |publisher=Salisburycathedral.org.uk |access-date=2018-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622060438/http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/news.archive.php?id=88 |archive-date=22 June 2013 |url-status=live }} and the Canon Treasurer is Kenneth Padley, installed in 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/new-canon-treasurer-for-salisbury-cathedral/|website=Salisbury Cathedral|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224220214/https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/news/new-canon-treasurer-appointed|archive-date=24 December 2018|url-status=live |title=New Canon Treasurer appointed|access-date=25 June 2024}}

{{more citations needed section|date=February 2019}}

Notable burials include:

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, ({{circa}} 1165–1226)
• Lady Katherine Grey, Countess of Hertford (1540–1568)
• Saint Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury (1078–1099)
• Roger of Salisbury, Bishop of Salisbury (1102–1139)
• Josceline de Bohon, Bishop of Salisbury (1142–1184)
• Robert de Bingham, Bishop of Salisbury (1229–1246)
• Giles of Bridport, Bishop of Salisbury (1256–1262)
• Walter de la Wyle, Bishop of Salisbury (1263–1271)
• Nicholas Longespee, Bishop of Salisbury (1291–1297)
• Simon of Ghent, Bishop of Salisbury (1297–1315)
• Roger Martival, Bishop of Salisbury (1315–1330)
• Walter Hungerford, 1st Baron Hungerford (1378–1449)
• Richard Mitford, Bishop of Salisbury (1395–1407)
• Robert Hungerford, 2nd Baron Hungerford (1409–1459)
• Robert Hungerford, Lord Moleyns and 3rd Baron Hungerford (1431–1464)
• John Cheyne, Baron Cheyne ({{circa}} 1442–1499)
• Richard Beauchamp, Bishop of Salisbury (1450–1482)
• John Blyth, Bishop of Salisbury (1493–1499)
• John Doget, Renaissance humanist (died 1501)
• Edmund Audley, Bishop of Salisbury (1501–1524)
• Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford (1539–1621), nephew of queen-consort Jane Seymour
• Thomas Gorges, (1536–1610) and wife Helena, Marchioness of Northampton, (1548/1549–1635)
• John Jewel, Bishop of Salisbury (1559–1571)
• Edmund Gheast, Bishop of Salisbury (1571–1577)
• Mary Sidney (1561–1621), writer and patron
• William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke (1580–1630), politician and courtier, buried in a family vault in front of the altar
• Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke
• Philip Herbert, 7th Earl of Pembroke
• Michael Wise (1648–1687), organist and composer
• Alexander Hyde, Bishop of Salisbury (1665–1667)
• Seth Ward, Bishop of Salisbury (1667–1689)
• John Seymour, 4th Duke of Somerset (before 1646–1675)
• Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset in the Seymour Chapel (1662–1748)
• John Thomas, Bishop of Salisbury (1761–1766)
• Edward Heath, former British Prime Minister (1970–1974)

{{div col end}}

{{Incomplete list|date=December 2010}}

File:Salisbury Cathedral, organ (south side) (50422352031).jpg (1877)]]

Throughout its history, there have been several organs in the cathedral. Of particular interest are the two fine four-manual instruments, the first by Renatus Harris ({{Circa|1652}}–1724), which was replaced at the end of the 18th century, and the current organ, whose present fame has eclipsed the reputation of the former.

The four-manual instrument by Harris had been installed in 1710. The abundance of reed stops was typical of Harris' instruments and bears witness to the influence of the classical French organ. The instrument, not only spectacular in style but also of good quality, had remained practically unaltered (beyond occasional repairs) for nearly 80 years, until it was replaced at the same time as the cathedral was "restored" by James Wyatt between 1789 and 1792: the Bishop had convinced George III to furnish the cathedral with a new instrument once the work was complete.

This organ, by Samuel Green, was presented by the king in 1792{{cite web|url=http://www.npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=N10306|title=Wiltshire Salisbury, Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary [N10306]|website=The National Pipe Organ Register|publisher=The British Institute of Organ Studies|access-date=14 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315001724/http://www.npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=N10306|archive-date=15 March 2017|url-status=live}} and was installed on top of the stone screen, which, unusually, did not divide the choir from the nave, but rather came from an unknown location in the cathedral.{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/cathedralsabbey01bonn#page/130/mode/1up|title=Cathedrals, abbeys, and churches of England and Wales|last=Armfield|first=A.H.|publisher=Cassell & Company|year=1890|location=London|page=130}} The organ was later taken out and moved to St Thomas's Church.Cathedrals; 2nd ed. London: Great Western Railway, 1925; p. 33. When the new Willis organ was installed, its distinct sound from 55 powerfully-voiced stops, directly in the choir with little casework, was quite a contrast to Green's more gentle 23-stop instrument.

The present-day instrument was built in 1877 by Henry Willis & Sons.{{cite web

|url=http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=N10312|title=Wiltshire, Salisbury Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary|publisher=National Pipe Organ Register|access-date=10 April 2011}} Walter Alcock, who was organist of the cathedral from 1916, oversaw a strictly faithful restoration of the famous Father Willis organ, completed in 1934,Webb, Stanley & Hale, Paul. [http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/00493 "Alcock, Sir Walter"], Grove Music Online, Oxford Music Online, accessed 1 March 2012 {{subscription required}} even going to such lengths as to refuse to allow parts of the instrument to leave the cathedral in case any unauthorised tonal alterations were made without his knowledge,Alcock, W. G. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/917728 "Salisbury Cathedral Organ"], The Musical Times, Vol. 75, No. 1098 (August 1934), pp. 730–732 {{subscription required}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305112743/http://www.jstor.org/stable/917728 |date=5 March 2016 }} while allowing some discrete additions in the original style of the organ (as well as modernisation of the organ's actions) by Henry Willis III, the grandson of Father Willis.National Pipe Organ Register N10312 The instrument was extensively restored between 2019 and 2020.{{cite journal |last1=Hale |first1=Paul |title=Willis restored |journal=Choir & Organ |date=2020 |issue=May/June |pages=23–26}}

{{See also|List of musicians at English cathedrals}}

It is recorded that in 1463 John Kegewyn was organist of Salisbury Cathedral. Among the notable organists of more recent times have been a number of composers and well-known performers including Bertram Luard-Selby, Charles Frederick South, Walter Alcock, David Valentine Willcocks, Douglas Albert Guest, Christopher Dearnley, Richard Godfrey Seal and the BBC presenter Simon Lole.

File:Salisbury Cathedral Choir, Wiltshire, UK - Diliff.jpg

Salisbury Cathedral Choir holds annual auditions for boys and girls aged 7–9 years old for scholarships to Salisbury Cathedral School, which housed in the former Bishop's Palace. The boys' choir and the girls' choir (each 16 strong) sing alternate daily Evensong and Sunday Matins and Eucharist services throughout the school year. There are also many additional services during the Christian year particularly during Advent, Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter. The Advent From Darkness to Light services are the best known. Choristers come from across the country and some board. Six lay vicars (adult men) comprise the rest of the choir, singing tenor, alto and bass parts. In 1993, the cathedral was the venue for the first broadcast of Choral Evensong (the long-running BBC Radio 3 programme) to be sung by a girls' cathedral choir.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04b1dvv/p04b1gwk|title=Timeline of the History of Choral Evensong|website=BBC Radio 3|access-date=16 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029154435/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04b1dvv/p04b1gwk|archive-date=29 October 2018|url-status=live}}

The cathedral library holds 193 manuscript books – 60 of them written at the first cathedral at Old Sarum – and around 12,000 early printed books. There are 43 books (incunabula) from the earliest years of printing, up to the year 1500. Significant collections include works of 16th-century theology from bishop Edmund Gheast, medical and science books from bishop Seth Ward, and 19th-century theology from dean Henry Hamilton.{{Cite web |title=The Library |url=https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/discover/library-and-archive/the-library/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Salisbury Cathedral |language=en-GB}}

In late 2024, the Friends of the Nations' Libraries raised £90,000 to purchase a 13th-century Bible, illuminated at Salisbury by the Sarum Master, which they donated to the cathedral.{{Cite web |title=13thC Sarum Master Bible returns to Salisbury |url=https://www.fnl.org.uk/articles/13thc-sarum-master-bible-returns-to-salisbury?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Friends of the Nations' Libraries}}{{Cite web |last=Dalby |first=Cassie |date=2025-02-13 |title=13th Century Sarum Master Bible to go on public display for first time |url=https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/13th-century-sarum-master-bible-to-go-on-public-display-for-first-time/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Salisbury Cathedral |language=en-GB}}

File:Salisbury Cathedral bird's view.jpg|Aerial view

File:1023581-Cathedral Church of St Mary (8).jpg|From the southwest

File:Catedral de Salisbury, Salisbury, Inglaterra, 2014-08-12, DD 03.JPG|North front

File:Hugh Trenchard memorial in Salisbury Cathedral.jpg|Trenchard Memorial

File:Salisbury Cathedral, Cathedral Close, Wiltshire.jpg|From the northeast

File:Salisbury 01.jpg|Sculptural detail

File:Salisbury.cathedral.front.arp.jpg|Detail from west front

File:Catedral de Salisbury, Salisbury, Inglaterra, 2014-08-12, DD 54.JPG|The cloisters

File:Hall to Magna Carter by Theophil Arthur.JPG|Cloister walk, east side

File:Salisburycathedralgilesdebridporttomb.jpg|Tomb of Giles of Bridport

File:Catedral de Salisbury, Salisbury, Inglaterra, 2014-08-12, DD 52.JPG|View of the spire from the cloisters

File:SalisburyCathedralRoof.jpg|Rib vault ceiling above clerestory windows

File:Catedral de Salisbury, Salisbury, Inglaterra, 2014-08-12, DD 05.JPG|Lateral view of the west façade

File:Salisbury Cathedral's spire and west facade.jpg|Spire and west façade

File:The lower spiral staircase in the tower of Salisbury Cathedral.JPG|Interior of the tower

File:Salisbury Cathedral Spire Interior.jpg|Interior of the spire

File:C E Buckeridge altar at Salisbury Cathedral.jpg|Reredos by Charles Edgar Buckeridge

File:Man with coffee.jpg|Man with coffee by Sean Henry in a spare niche at the west end of the cathedral

{{Portal|Christianity}}

{{div col}}

• Architecture of the medieval cathedrals of England
• Bishop Wordsworth's School
• English Gothic architecture
• Gothic cathedrals and churches
• List of Gothic cathedrals in Europe
• List of cathedrals in the United Kingdom
• List of tallest church buildings
• List of tallest structures built before the 20th century
• Salisbury Cathedral School

{{div col end}}

{{notes}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{refbegin|30em|indent=yes}}

• Evans, Sydney. Salisbury Cathedral: A reflective Guide, Michael Russell Publishing, Salisbury. 1985.
• Martín-Gil, J; Martín-Gil, FJ; Ramos-Sánchez, MC; Martín-Ramos, P. The Orange-Brown Patina of Salisbury Cathedral (West Porch) Surfaces: Evidence of its Man-Made Origin. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 12(5):285–289. 2005.

{{refend}}

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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060504012353/http://paradoxplace.com/Photo%20Pages/UK/Britain_South_and_West/Salisbury_Cathedral/Salisbury.htm Adrian Fletcher's Paradoxplace — Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta]

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