Some of you would be interested to know that there is an Anglican society ("The Gild of Clerks" -- see some pictures) who pursue occasional re-enactments of medieval English liturgical rites. This can be of interest to Catholics of course because it can help provide a sense of "what might have been" with regard to the ritual and ceremony associated with these particular uses, so long defunct now.
Recently this society announced it will be pursuing a re-enactment of a Sarum use liturgy. There is an academic interest here since the intent of this Gild's reconstruction is to present what they believe would have been the form seen in a more typical parish church setting of the 1490's -- as opposed to the more elaborate form that has typically been seen in modern times.
The event will be taking place at St. Peter Hungate, Norwich, a former church, now unused.
Here is that Gild's own announcement about their event:
The Gild of Clerks, a group of Anglican liturgists, will be keeping the Assumption of Our Lady with a high mass and procession according to the Use of Sarum. The Gild has previously staged a number of reconstructions of the medieval York Use and this is the first time they have turned their hands to the Sarum Use. The aim is to present a typical parochial mass of the 1490s - so it will be a chant mass with a very modest altar party. The reconstruction will take place within the octave of the feast, on Saturday 18th of August at 3pm, in the medieval church of St Peter Hungate in Norwich. St Peter Hungate is a redundant church rebuilt in the 15th century by the Paston family (famous for their correspondence) and it is in the care of the Norwich Historic Churches. All are very welcome to attend. Please note that there will be a modest charge (£3.50) for what is a very substantial programme; the proceeds from this will go towards the work of the Gild of Clerks and the Norwich Historic Churches Trust.
I am promised some pictures which I will present here.
