The Cathedral's two great Anglo Saxon treasures are now safely installed in their new permanent display cabinets in the Chapter House.                     

The St Chad Gospels, an illuminated Anglo Saxon gospel book which dates from about 730 (which makes it older than the famous Book of Kells), has been hidden away behind a pillar in a cabinet which has done good service for over 30 years but which no longer meets conservation standards. The Lichfield Angel, perhaps the finest surviving piece of late 8th / early 9th century stone sculpture in the country, languished in the transportation crate in which it was returned to the Cathedral by the conservator in 2007. It has never been professionally mounted and displayed. Both treasures have now been installed in bespoke frameless glass cabinets, on specially engineered mounts and with tailored lighting, with stunning effect.

The redisplay of these treasures is part of a £120,000 upgrade of the Chapter House, including its security, in preparation for the forthcoming exhibition of treasures from the Staffordshire Hoard on Tour later this summer. Funding for the project has been gratefully received from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Foyle Foundation, the Staffordshire Hoard Partnership, the Friends of Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield District Council and members of the Cathedral community.

We have been waiting several years for the opportunity to display these national treasures in a way that truly reflects their significance. The St Chad Gospels, in particular, deserve to be far better known and we hope that the new display arrangements will begin to give them the profile they deserve. We are very grateful to all who have been involved in the project, from funders to contractors, from professional advisers to specialist consultants. It will be worth every minute of effort and every penny of cost".

Beyond the redisplay of its own treasures, Lichfield Cathedral is looking forward to hosting the Staffordshire Hoard on Tour later this summer. Members of the public are invited to discover the secrets of the largest collection of Anglo Saxon gold ever found. They will have the opportunity to learn about the 'Christianisation' of Mercia and the heroic figure of St Chad, and to marvel at the Cathedral's own exquisite Anglo Saxon Treasures - the St Chad Gospels and the Lichfield Angel.

The temporary Hoard exhibition will open daily from Saturday 30 July until Sunday 21 August in the Cathedral Chapter House. Free timed entry tickets, and tickets for exclusive paid tours, are available from the Lichfield Garrick Box Office (01543 412121).

Entry to the general exhibition will be free and visitor donations will help to conserve, research and display the Hoard in the future as part of the emerging Mercian trail. The tour will also visit Shire Hall, Stafford (2nd July until 24th July) and Tamworth Castle (27th August until 18th September).For further details click here.