Undoubtedly the most important treasure that we encountered on our visit to the cathedral was in the chapter house adjoining the cathedral.  There, in a small enclosure, is the best preserved of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta, given to the cathedral not long after it was signed by King John at Runnymede in 1215.

Ironically, the cathedral’s spire – the tallest in England – saved the city of Salisbury from heavy bombing during World War II.  German bombers flying north from the coast to the Midlands used the tower as a navigational marker to determine their position.

For the text sung by the choir, I chose Hostias from the Latin Mass (English translation: Lord, in praise we offer Thee sacrifices and prayers).  I scored the piece for boys, alto, bass, and tenor choirs; alto and bass soloists; 32 violins, 10 violas,10 cellos, 9 double basses; and a brass section including 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, bassoon, contrabassoon, oboe, English horn, flute, and piccolo. An earlier version of Hostias is included in my Requiem Mass (2021), 12th movement.

M.M. Ray and D. Ellicott Ray