St Osmund was a Norman nobleman who accompanied William the Conqueror to England, where he was eventually consecrated second bishop of Salisbury (actually, Old Sarum). Osmund made a number of contributions to the early English church. First, he oversaw the construction of the Old Sarum cathedral, which was consecrated in 1092, fourteen years after his own episcopal consecration. Second, he set a standard for a cathedral organisation, modelled on Norman practice, describing the duties of the dean, precentor, chancellor, treasurer, canons (priests), sub-dean, and succentor. But perhaps his greatest contribution was the formation of the Sarum Use. Other uses existed at the time (such as those at York, Hereford, Bangor, and Lincoln), but the Sarum Use – which specified the rites for the Divine Office and the Mass, and regulated the Kalendar – was soon adopted throughout England, Wales, and Ireland, eventually making its way to Scotland in 1250.
The Feast of St Osmond is 16 July.
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