Osmond of Salisbury, Saint. — Died between 3 and 4 December 1099. Of Norman origin, belonging to the family of the counts of Sécz, nephew of the Norman William I of England, he held important administrative and political positions at the court of Normandy.
When in 1066 his uncle received the crown of England, O. followed him to the British Isles and from 1071 to 1077 was chancellor to the King, participating in the financial settlement of the Domesday (book of censuses). He was then appointed bishop of the diocese of Sarum (Salisbury) and consecrated in 1078 by the bishop Lanfranc of Bec, by authority of Gregory VII. His ecclesiastical activity extended to the care of worship, the construction of the Cathedral, consecrated in 1092, the reorganization of the Chapter according to Norman customs; but it is especially linked to the compilation of the book of ordinances for his diocese (Sarum Use), widely diffused in the following century in the dioceses of England, Wales and from 1250 also in Scotland. He was canonized by Callixtus III in 1457. Feast day: 4 December.
OSNABRÜCK — Cathedral of O. (11th century). The tower on the right shows early Gothic influences.