2012 will be the 350th anniversary of the publication, following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, of the Book of Common Prayer in 1662.

Lichfield Cathedral Library includes a first edition, which will be on display in the north quire aisle from Ash Wednesday (February 22) until Easter Day (April 8).

It is a 'sealed' first edition and will be on display in the north quire aisle during opening hours:

Monday to Friday: 7.30 am to 6.15 pm, Saturday: 8.00 am to 6.15 pm and Sunday: 7.30 am to 5.00 pm

Following the period of the Commonwealth between 1649 and 1660, the Church of England sought to re-establish 'uniformity' in liturgy by the publication of a Book of Common Prayer issued in 1662.  The book contains much earlier material, including the collects of Archbishop Cranmer and the Psalms of Miles Coverdale from the 1540s.  So great was the desire to ensure 'uniform' liturgy nationwide, that our copy is 'sealed', with the seals of half a dozen senior clergy and lawyers who personally checked and were prepared to guarantee that our printed edition was a 'true and perfect copie' of the original.  One of the signatories was William Paul, Dean of Lichfield. 

The BCP has a dark side, however: its publication coincided with the Great Ejection, when about 2000 puritan clergy who refused to adopt the liturgies of the BCP were expelled from the Church of England, including great saints such as Richard Baxter.  The event was in some ways the birth of Englands 'non-conformist'  (Baptist, Presbyterian, Congregationalist) churches.