Cathedral reveals sign language wedding held in 1576

Leicester Cathedral says it has discovered evidence of sign language being used at a wedding held there 450 years ago.

Cathedral bosses said documents found at the local record office showed sign language was used in a marriage ceremony at St Martin's Church - as it was formerly called - on 6 February 1576.

According to the transcript of the wedding certificate, Thomas Tilsye was deaf and married his wife Ursula Russel with signing assistance.

The cathedral held a special service incorporating British Sign Language (BSL), to "recognise a unique moment in our history" on Sunday.

Leicester Cathedral said as part of its work to become more inclusive and accessible to people of all abilities and backgrounds, it came across the transcript of the wedding certificate at the Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland about 18 months ago.

The transcript read: "Thomas Tillsye and Ursula Russel were marryed: and because the sayde Thomas was and is naturally deafe and also dumbe, so that the order of the forme of marriage used usually amongst others which can heare and speake could not for his parte be observed... the sayde Thomas, for the expression of his minde instead of words, of his own accorde used these signs...

"First he embraced her with his armes, and took her by the hande, putt a ring upon her finger and layde his hande upon her harte, and held his hands towards heaven; and to show his continuance to dwell with her to his lyves ende he did it by closing of his eyes with his hands and digging out of the earthe with his foote, and pulling as though he would ring a bell with divers other signs approved."

The church believes the document stands as one of the earliest recorded examples of inclusive worship in the Church of England.

Following the finding, the church held a special service on Sunday to commemorate the moment 450 years ago.

Readings and prayers were delivered in BSL and songs were sang by a deaf choir from the Church of the Good Shepherd - a ministry for deaf and hard of hearing people based within the Diocese of Leicester.

Choir lead Anne Lawrence said the choir was set up to allow deaf people to connect with God.

"It's so important to be able to worship in BSL because BSL is our first language," she said. "Watching sign language means we can understand a lot more.

"We can follow the signs rather than always following spoken language and written English, which is so difficult."

Lawrence added it was "amazing and a real honour" to be part of the service.

Vicky Makaprang, who has been with the choir for more than 10 years, said: "Being in a signing choir, which is my first language, I feel more involved. I feel it's more accessible.

"In the past, I didn't know what people were saying. With the songs, I'd be nodding my head, making out I understood it.

"When I go to a church that has an interpreter, it's amazing. I feel comfortable and I feel that I've got no barriers."

Makaprang added the sign language 450 years ago would have been very different.

"I'd love to look back and take a peek," she said. "It would be so different to what it is now and what their sign language would look like."

At the service, The Very Reverend Karen Rooms, Dean of Leicester, said: "This anniversary offers a beautiful opportunity to recognise a unique moment in our history, when the church responded creatively and compassionately so that love could be fully shared and celebrated.

"As we reflect on that wedding in 1576, we recommit ourselves to ensuring that Leicester Cathedral is a place where everyone can belong, worship, and be welcomed."

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