WELL-known historian, broadcaster, and co-host of the Rest is History podcast Tom Holland has been appointed the first canon historian in an English cathedral.

Holland was one of four new lay canons installed into the College of Canons at Salisbury Cathedral by invitation of the Right Reverend Stephen Lake, Bishop of Salisbury, during an Evensong service yesterday (June 2).

The college, part of the cathedral’s extended family, meets twice a year to provide feedback on policy decisions made by Chapter, the cathedral’s governing body, and on cathedral activities.

Holland shared the news on his X account (@holland_tom), where he revelled in the opportunity to take a closer look at the magnificent 13th-century Sarum Master Bible that was returned to the cathedral thanks to a successful fundraising campaign by Friends of the Nations’ Libraries, who purchased it for £90,000 via the fine arts company Sotheby’s, before donating it to the cathedral.

The historian, who was brought up in Broad Chalke near Salisbury, said: “To my native city of Salisbury, there to be enrolled as the first Canon Historian in the 800-year-old history of Salisbury Cathedral – as great an honour as I could possibly imagine!”

He added: “So proud – and I even got to wear a cloak!”

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Holland co-hosts the Rest Is History podcast alongside fellow historian Dominic Sandbrook, with the podcast receiving more than 19 million downloads each month.

He was one of four new lay canons welcomed to the cathedral.

Taking up her place in the Hurstborne & Burbage stall, Judith Davey Cole is the chief executive of The Girls’ Brigade.

Non-executive roles include being chair of the Methodist Safeguarding Committee and vice chair of Thirtyone:eight, the Christian safeguarding agency.

She is also a member of the Diocese of Winchester’s Safeguarding Advisory Panel. Judith has held senior leadership roles at organisations including ActionAid and Deloitte and is a member of Chapter at Salisbury Cathedral.

Picture: Finnbarr Webster/Salisbury Cathedral

Nigel Salisbury, taking up his place in the Loders stall, has been a member of the cathedral community since coming to live in the Close with his family in 1999.

He has been chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance and remains a trustee of the Church of England Clergy Stipend Trust.

Nigel serves as a steward at the cathedral and has previously been a member of the Cathedral Council, the Friends Council and College of Canons before being appointed as a senior non-executive member of Chapter in 2023.

Taking up the Wilsford & Woodford stall, Lucinda Herklots has been a lay member of the Cathedral Chapter since 2019 and chairs the cathedral’s nominations committee and HR and remunerations committee.

Prior to retirement, she was diocesan secretary for the Diocese of Salisbury. Lucinda also serves as a steward of the cathedral, has previously been a member of the College of Canons and Friends Council and, until last year, was an elected governor of Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust.

Tom Holland Picture: Salisbury Cathedral

The Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, said: “Tom Holland’s erudition, wit, and dazzlingly wide range of interests have won him a massive audience; he writes with intelligence and insight on the overwhelming impact that Christian faith has had on our world; he is a son of Wiltshire and long-time supporter of Salisbury: we are delighted to welcome him as our first Canon Historian.

“Nigel, Judith and Lucinda are first-rate colleagues on the chapter, the cathedral’s trustee body. Their contribution to the cathedral has been enormous, and I am thrilled that it will now extend to the life of the college”.

The Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Revd Stephen Lake, said: “I am delighted that Tom, Nigel, Judith and Lucinda have accepted the invitation to join the Cathedral’s College of Canons.

“With Tom as our first canon historian and Nigel, Judith and Lucinda bringing their perspectives and experience as Chapter members their installation will ensure that a range of voices from across the diocese are represented.”