What is the Lindisfarne Gospels?
Q: What is the Lindisfarne Gospels?
A: The Lindisfarne Gospels is an Illuminated manuscript book of the gospels which was made at a monastery off the coast of Northumberland at Lindisfarne, about 700 AD.
Q: Where can it be found today?
A: The manuscript is now on display in the British Library.
Q: What style does it combine?
A: The Lindisfarne Gospels combines Mediterranean, Anglo-Saxon and Celtic elements.
Q: Who is thought to have created it?
A: The Lindisfarne Gospels are thought to be by Eadfrith, a monk who became Bishop of Lindisfarne in 698 and died in 721.
Q: What type of script was used for its text?
A: The text is written in a hand known as 'insular script'.
Q: Who translated the Latin text into Old English?
A: In the 10th century an Old English translation of the Gospels was written word-for-word between the lines of the Latin text by Aldred, Provost of Chester-le-Street.
Q: How did it end up at its current location?
A: The Gospels may have been taken from Durham Cathedral during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, ordered by Henry VIII. In the 18th century it was given to the British Museum before being transferred to its current location at British Library when this was split off from British Museum.
