Sarum, Use of

Sarum, Use Of.

In former times each bishop had the power of making some improvements in the liturgy of his Church. In process of time different customs arose, and several became so established as to receive the names of their respective churches. The 'use' or custom of Sarum derives its origin from Osmund, bishop of that see in A.D. 1078, and chancellor of England. Influenced by difficulties arising from an attempt to do away with the ancient Gregorian chanting, Osmund collected together the clergy, and composed a book for the regulation of ecclesiastical offices, which was entitled the Custom- Book. The substance of this was probably incorporated into the missal and other ritual books of Sarum, and ere long almost the whole of England, Wales, and Ireland adopted it. When the archbishop of Canterbury celebrated the liturgy in the presence of the bishops of his province, the bishop of Salisbury (probably in consequence of the general adoption of the 'use' of Sarum) acted as precentor of the College of Bishops, a title which he still retains. SEE USE.