These elaborate Coptic-inspired carpet pages form the incipit pages before each Gospel. It has been said that the inspiration could be taken from oriental, eastern textile or even Roman mosaic design and form. These beautiful pages are filled with decorative, geometric patterns and ornate, complex, colourful and often symmetrical motifs. The use of carpet pages is typical of the form of illuminated manuscript represented by the Lindisfarne Gospels and can be found in other texts such as the Book of Kells and Book of Durrow. The Latin gospel text is presented with calligraphy and elaborate carpet pages, described as such due to the designs being reminiscent of Persian carpet design. The manuscript is an ornate representation of Anglo-Saxon craftsmanship which in itself belies the multitude of cultural and religious influences which contributed to its beauty. It was around the early 700’s that an artistic masterpiece was produced, known as the Lindisfarne Gospels, containing a copy of the Gospels according to the four disciples, recounting the life of Jesus Christ. The heyday of the island however had long since passed with the times of St Cuthbert and the monastery’s place in Christian history and culture. The passing of Viking and Norman conquests eventually allowed the priory to be re-established with a small castle later being built on the island. After its initial settlement, Lindisfarne was plundered by the marauding Vikings in 793, the group sacking the church and killing several monks.Īfter continued fears for their safety, the monks eventually made the choice to flee with the body of St Cuthbert, relics and books, one of them being the Lindisfarne Gospels.Īs they fled to Durham in 995, the Holy Island was left to rack and ruin for almost two hundred years until William the Conqueror forced the monks to return once more to the solitude of the island. Since the time of its founding with St Aidan, Lindisfarne had become an important focal point for Celtic Christianity, however this peace and tranquillity was not to last. St Cuthbert is referred to as the patron saint of Northumbria with a feast day held in his honour. St Cuthbert’s body showing no signs of decay. Lindisfarne was firmly on the map as a site of pilgrimage and epicentre of Christianity in the region. St Cuthbert’s shrine brought an increase in power, funding and popularity to the monastery. It was at this time, that his reputation grew. He would live the rest of his days out in solitude as a hermit before passing away in 687.Įleven years later, when monks opened his tomb they were said to be astounded that his remains were untouched by decay. Whilst at Lindisfarne he played an important role in the evolution of monks’ practices. He would spend the rest of his life serving the church as a monk and a bishop. It was said that Cuthbert found his calling after seeing a vision on the night that St Aidan, the founding father of Lindisfarne, died. St Cuthbert was born in Anglo-Saxon Northumbria, today’s Scotland in a time when the conversion to Christianity was taking place. Over time, the island of Lindisfarne was to have sixteen bishops, the first of whom was Aidan, whilst the most famous was Cuthbert. On this rugged and beautiful coastline, the evolution of Christianity in Northumbria developed, with King Oswald of Northumberland wishing the people to embrace the faith, letting go of the more pagan customs which had dominated. The island itself, which lies only sixty miles away from the hustle and bustle of Newcastle, can at times of high tide be completely cut off from the mainland. They would come to develop, influence and represent the Celtic and religious traditions of the day. More commonly referred to as Holy Island, Lindisfarne was settled by Aidan and a group of Irish monks who had been invited to establish a monastic community there by King Oswald of Northumberland. The creation of the text occurred on Lindisfarne around 1300 years ago and has since become famous for its beauty, ornate detail and design. A famous illuminated manuscript created around 700 AD, the Lindisfarne Gospels is a historical marvel which demonstrates Anglo-Saxon art, culture and religious expression.
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