Biography
Discover the fascinating story of how this precious, hand-made book was put together, and learn about the saint in whose name it was created
Lindisfarne Gospels: the Basics
The ancient book known as the Lindisfarne Gospels is a richly decorated Latin manuscript of the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, produced in Northumbria at the beginning of the eighth century. It is thought to be the work of Eadfrith, Bishop of Lindisfarne, who made it to honour God and Saint Cuthbert.
Making the Gospels
All the tools and materials used in the creation of the Lindisfarne Gospels were made by hand, by the monks at Lindisfarne. These include sheets of vellum, made from the skins of calves; pens, cut from goose quills; and more than 40 pigments, using various minerals, insects and plants.
St Cuthbert
Cuthbert was a humble shepherd who rose to become the Bishop of Lindisfarne and a saint, and on whose shrine the Lindisfarne Gospels were placed in tribute.
