Lindisfarne

Island off the coast of Northumberland, northeast England, where in 634, St. Aidan and other monks from Iona founded a monastery. It became a center for producing illuminated manuscripts (Lindisfarne Gospel, c 700) and works of art of the Northumbrian school. In 793, it was subjected to the first Viking (Danes) raid on England and the monastery only functioned intermittently afterwards. There are no traces of the earliest buildings; the church, cloister, ranges and walls visible today all date to the Norman Benedictine abbey. Lindisfarne's past is reflected in the manuscripts that have survived, St. Cuthbert's coffin, and some carved sculpture. It was connected to the coast of Northumberland only at low tide.

Island off the coast of Northumberland, northeast England. In 634 King Oswald gave the island to St Aidan and other monks from Iona to found a monastery. The foundation followed the Irish pattern until the Synod of Whitby (664), when Lindisfarne relinquished its Celtic traditions and embraced the Roman style of Christianity. Its most famous bishop was St Cuthbert, who officiated there from 685 until 687. Lindisfarne became a centre for producing illuminated manuscripts (see Lindisfarne Gospel) and works of art of the Northumbrian school. In 793 the Danes raided the island — an event which shook the Christian world — and the monastery only functioned intermittently after this disaster. Unfortunately, there are no traces of the earliest buildings; the church, cloister, ranges and walls visible today all date to the Norman Benedictine abbey. However, Lindisfarne’s glorious past is reflected in the famous manuscripts that have survived from this age, St Cuthbert’s coffin, and some carved sculpture.