Conqueror convened here the prelates, nobles, sheriffs, and knights of his new dominions, to receive their homage, and, in the opinion of one of our ablest lawyers, to establish a law, which may be considered as the principle of the feudal system. * The same year the general Survey of the kingdom, which is known under the name of Doomsday Book, was compiled; and, according to that record, Sarum was taxed at fifty hides, contributed twenty shillings by weight, of the third penny, and sixty pounds by tale, of the increase. Two other national councils were also held here within a short interval of time: one by William Rufus, in 1096; † and a second, in 1116, by Henry the First. Finally, it acquired additional lustre from the establishment of a royal residence at Clarendon, which was selected by our early monarchs, for the convenience of a prompt communication with their continental dominions.

After these brief and imperfect notices relative to the early state of the two places, where our episcopal see was successively established, we advert to the ecclesiastical foundation, which is the subject of these pages.

An able investigator of our cathedral antiquities asserts that Herman, who translated the see to Sarum, found there a free chapel, under the government of a dean, for the use of the garrison, as was the case in all the royal castles. He states also, that Herman, by the command of William the Conqueror, left the two cathedral churches of Sunning and Sherborne to the dean, to whose peculiar jurisdiction they have since belonged. §

§ Dean Peirce's Vindication of the King's sovereign Rights, published during the controversy with bishop Ward, chap. 2, in which he cites the authority of the dean's, and Chapter Records. Also MSS. in the Bishop's Records.

From the testimony of the early historians, we are justified in inferring, that Herman at least formed the design of erecting a new cathedral. But it is bishop Osinund to whom our antient records ascribe the construction of a church, and the foundation of an establishment proportionate to the rank of the see.

On assuming the episcopal dignity, Osmund united Sarum, or at least a considerable quantity of land, in the vicinity of the fortress, with Ramsbury, Potterne, Cannings, Sherborne, Sunning, and the antient domains possessed by the bishops of Sherborne. The extensive property in Dorsetshire, and other parts, which he had received in his military capacity from the Conqueror, was also left at his disposal. With this he built and endowed a cathedral, which he dedicated to the blessed Virgin. + He assigned revenues for the maintenance of a dean, thirty-two canons secular, four archdeacons, two for Wilts, and two for Berks and Dorset, and a competent number of choristers, ‡ with subordinate ministers and officers. The extent of his donations, and the importance of the establishment, will appear from his Charter of Foundation, which was granted April 5, 1091, and ratified at Hastings, by the reigning sovereign, William Rufus. §

* Wyndham's Wiltshire, from Domesday, p. 73.

† According to tradition, it was situated on the north-western side of the fortress, near the postern leading to Stratford. In an edition of the Salisbury Guide, published in 1767, it is said the foundations of the church, and other buildings connected with it, might then be traced.

The Customary of Osmund mentions that some of the boys, or choristers, were admitted as canons.

§ "In the name of the Holy and undivided Trinity, I, Osmund, bishop of the church of Sarum, make known to all the faithful in Christ, as well present as to come, that, to the honour of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the most blessed Virgin Mary; and for the salvation of the souls of king William, and his wife, Matilda, and of his son, William, king of the English; and also for the salvation of my own soul, I have built the church of Sarum, and constituted canons therein; and have canonically granted for ever, freely as I received, the goods of the church, to them living canonically, namely, these places (besides knights fees), Gleminster, Awlton,

SOUTH VIEW OF SALISBURY CATHEDRAL,

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A list is preserved of the utensils and ornaments which Osmund bestowed on his church. Among these are enumerated six feretra, silver gilt; two pyxes, of the same metal; three crosses; six candlesticks; a chalice, of the value of four gold marks; seven silver chalices, with patens; three censers; two ampuls, for the chrism; seven curtains; three veils, for the altars; and three missals. *

Not satisfied with leaving a noble monument of his munificence, this venerable prelate gave no less striking proofs of his zeal and piety, in his labours for the advancement of learning, and institutions for the discipline of his church and diocese. Besides the compilation of a new Liturgy, he drew up a series of Rules, or Customs, in which he defined the privileges and duties of the members belonging to the establishment, and regulated the forms and ceremonies connected with the offices of divine worship. these regulations an abstract is here given.

Of

The principal persons of the church are four, the Dean, the Precentor or Chanter, the Chancellor, and the Treasurer; and four Archdeacons, two

Cerminster, Begminster, Nyderbury, Writtleton; the church of Shirburn, with its tythes, except those of the monks and sepulture; the church of Bere; of St. George, in Dorchester; and half the church of Mere, with the moiety of the tythes; the church of Sarum, with its tythes and appurtenances; two hides and a half of land in that town, and six hides in Stratford, before the gate of the castle of Sarum, on both sides of the way, for the houses of the canons; the churches of Wivelsford, of Poterne and Lavyngton, Rammesbury and Bedwynd, with a mill in that town; the church of Warnborough, and a hide and a half, with one borderer, also three acres of land, in the said place, and a small orchard; the churches of Farendon, Cannyng, Calne, Worpa, Marlborough, Blebyryg, and Sunning; ten hides of land in Rotescombe, and the church of Grantham, with the tythes and appurtenances of each. Also half the offerings at the principal altar, except the ornaments, and all the offerings of the rest; the sepulture, and all the offerings made to the bishop, when he celebrates mass, besides one half of the gold given in the said church. If any of the canons shall attend the bishop at the dedication of a church, he shall receive part of the offerings as chaplain. Further, I grant, for one year, two parts of the prebend of each deceased canon, for the use of the rest, and one part for the use of the poor. This charter is written and confirmed in 1091."-Copy of the Charter of Foundation in the Bishop's and Chapter Records-Dugdale's Monasticon, t. 3. The last clause is omitted in the MS. copies, but introduced in the Customs of Osmund.

* Register of Proceedings, relative to the canonization of Osmund.-Chapter Records.