IV/2/1

IV/2/1

Sub-series

The Great Organ

1635-1710

The origins of the Great Organ which preceded the Harris Organ of 1710 are unclear, and its original builder or builders are not known. The earliest reference to any organ in the Cathedral is in 1480. In 1635 John Burward was commissioned, for the sum of £220 (equivalent to about £40,000 in 2023), to repair the then existing Great Organ and to add "a chair Organ according to the model and fashion of the chair Organ in St Pauls church London" so that "the said greate Organ and chair Organ shall . . . be substantially repaired and made a good & perfect double Organ". This Organ, as repaired and extended in 1635, was taken down in 1643, prior to the Ordinance of 9 May 1644 which required that "all Organs, and the Frames and Cases wherein they stand in all Churches . . . shall be taken away". It was reinstated, after the Restoration of Charles II, in 1661.

• IV/2/1/1635 - Articles of Agreement for repairing and enlarging the Organ, 1635
• IV/2/1/1668 - Articles of Agreement for making an Organ with four stops, 1668
• IV/2/1/1694 - Articles of Agreement for maintenance of the Organ, 1694