Lindisfarne Monastery
Overview
Lindisfarne Monastery, also known as the Holy Island, was a significant center of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England. It was founded by Irish monk Aidan in 635 CE, who was sent from Iona Abbey to Northumbria by King Oswald to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons.
The monks who lived at Lindisfarne were known for their scholarship, particularly in the fields of theology and literature. They produced many illuminated manuscripts, including the famous Lindisfarne Gospels, which are considered some of the most beautiful and important works of early medieval art.
In 793 CE, the Vikings launched a raid on Lindisfarne, marking the beginning of the Viking Age. The attack was brutal, and many of the monks were killed or taken as slaves. The raid shocked the Christian world and is often seen by historians as a turning point in Anglo-Saxon history.
Despite the Viking attack, Lindisfarne continued to be an important religious center throughout the medieval period. The monastery was rebuilt and expanded, and it remained a place of pilgrimage and study until the dissolution of the monasteries under King Henry VIII in the 16th century.
Map of 7th century northern England showing Iona and Lindisfarne.
Foundation
Lindisfarne Monastery was founded by Saint Aidan in 635 CE. Saint Aidan was an Irish monk who was sent by the Irish Church to convert the pagan Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. King Oswald of Northumbria invited Aidan to establish a monastery in Northumbria to convert the population to Christianity. Aidan chose the location for the monastery because it was remote and isolated, making it an ideal place for monastic life, contemplation, and study. The island’s location also provided easy access to the sea, making it convenient for travel and trade.
The early years of the monastery were marked by great poverty, and the monks had to rely on fishing and farming to survive. Despite these hardships, the monastery quickly became renowned for its learning and scholarship. Saint Aidan was succeeded by Saint Cuthbert, who served as prior of the monastery from 664 until his death in 687. Saint Cuthbert was a charismatic leader who attracted many followers, and he was widely regarded as a miracle worker.
Monk Life
The monks who lived at Lindisfarne Monastery were part of the Celtic Christian tradition, which developed in Ireland and spread to Scotland and Northern England. This tradition emphasized a more contemplative and ascetic form of Christianity, with a focus on monasticism, mission, and scholarship.
The monks at Lindisfarne followed the Rule of St. Columba, which was developed by the founder of Iona Abbey, St. Columba. This rule emphasized a strict adherence to monastic discipline, with a focus on communal prayer, manual labor, and study. The monks also placed a strong emphasis on evangelism and mission, which is why King Oswald invited St. Aidan to Northumbria to spread Christianity.
Life in the monastery was highly regulated, with the monks following a daily routine of prayer, work, and study. They would rise early in the morning to attend the first prayer service of the day, followed by a period of manual labor, such as farming, fishing, or craft work. Afternoon was devoted to further study and prayer, while evening was spent in communal prayer and reflection.
The monks lived a simple and austere life, with a focus on poverty, chastity, and obedience. They would sleep in communal dormitories, eat simple meals, and wear plain clothing. However, despite this ascetic lifestyle, the monks also placed a high value on beauty and art, as demonstrated by their production of illuminated manuscripts.
Golden Age of Lindisfarne
The eighth century was a time of great prosperity for the Lindisfarne Monastery. The monastery became a center of learning and culture, and its library was one of the largest in Europe. The monks produced many illuminated manuscripts, including the famous Lindisfarne Gospels. In addition to the Lindisfarne Gospels, the monastery also produced several other illuminated manuscripts, including the Durham Gospels, the Echternach Gospels, and the St. Cuthbert Gospel, which is the oldest surviving intact European book. These manuscripts demonstrate the high level of skill and craftsmanship of the Lindisfarne monks and their dedication to religious art and scholarship.
The monastery also played a significant role in the political life of Northumbria. The monks were influential advisors to the kings of Northumbria, and they played a key role in the establishment of a Christian state. The monastery also became a center of pilgrimage, and many people traveled from far and wide to seek the healing powers of Saint Cuthbert.
Viking Raids and Decline
Lindisfarne Monastery was subjected to a series of Viking raids in the ninth century. The first raid occurred in 793 CE, when a group of Viking raiders attacked the monastery and killed many of the monks. The Vikings returned in subsequent years, and the monastery was plundered and destroyed.
The raids had a devastating effect on the monastery, and its decline was rapid. Many of the surviving monks fled to other parts of England, and the monastery was no longer a center of learning and scholarship. The Lindisfarne Gospels were taken to Durham for safekeeping, where they remain to this day. The cult of Saint Cuthbert however, survived, and his relics were eventually moved to Durham Cathedral, where they remain a focus of pilgrimage to this day.
Although the Viking attack on Lindisfarne was a devastating event, the monastery managed to recover and continued to be an important religious center throughout the medieval period.
Image: Ruins of a priory from the 12th century on Lindisfarne
Ruins of a priory from the 12th century on Lindisfarne
Cult of St. Cuthbert
Lindisfarne Monastery also had a strong connection to St. Cuthbert, a seventh-century monk and bishop who became one of the most venerated saints in Anglo-Saxon England. St. Cuthbert’s relics were housed in the monastery, and his cult was central to the religious life of the community. The monks at Lindisfarne produced several works related to St. Cuthbert, including hagiographies, homilies, and poetry.
One of the most famous works related to St. Cuthbert is the Lindisfarne Gospels, which contains the four gospels of the New Testament written in Latin, along with elaborate illustrations and decorations. The manuscript was produced in the early eighth century and is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Anglo-Saxon art. It is believed that the Lindisfarne Gospels were created to honor St. Cuthbert and to serve as a visual representation of the gospel message.
St Cuthbert Window of York Minster
Decline & Dissolusion
After the Viking attack, the community at Lindisfarne rebuilt their monastery and expanded it in order to accommodate more monks and pilgrims. Despite the turmoil of the times, the monastery continued to attract scholars, religious leaders, and pilgrims who came to study, pray, and seek spiritual guidance.
Throughout the medieval period, the cult of St. Cuthbert continued to thrive at Lindisfarne. The monastery became a center of devotion for people from all walks of life who sought the intercession of St. Cuthbert, who was believed to possess miraculous powers. The monks of Lindisfarne continued to produce illuminated manuscripts, which were highly prized for their beauty and religious significance. These manuscripts included the Lindisfarne Gospels, which is considered one of the greatest works of Anglo-Saxon art.
In the 16th century, King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries as part of the English Reformation, and Lindisfarne Monastery was no exception. The dissolution marked the end of the monastery’s long and rich history as a center of religion, learning, and artistic production. However, the legacy of Lindisfarne continued to inspire later generations, who have celebrated the unique culture and spirituality of this early Christian community. Today, Lindisfarne remains a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims who come to explore its history and experience its peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.
Related Topics
Further Research & References
Brown, Michelle P. The Lindisfarne Gospels: Society, Spirituality and the Scribe. London: British Library, 2003.
Nelson, Janet L., ed. The Liber Vitae of Durham Cathedral. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1979.
Featherstone, Peter, ed. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: A Collaborative Edition. Vol. 3, MS C, The Laud Chronicle. Cambridge: D.S. Brewer, 2016.
Whitelock, Dorothy. English Historical Documents. Vol. 1, c. 500-1042. London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1955.
Mommsen, Theodor. Translated by James Hadley. “The Monks’ Law.” In The Digest of Justinian, vol. 2, book 50, ch. 10, 105-106. New York: AMS Press, 1972.
Giles, J.A. The Age of Bede. London: George Bell and Sons, 1903.
Seaver, Kirsten A. The Vikings and their Victims: The Verdict of the Names. Woodbridge: Boydell Press, 2010.
Bonner, Gerald. The Cult of St. Cuthbert. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1989.
Knowles, David. The Monastic Order in England: A History of its Development from the Times of St. Dunstan to the Fourth Lateran Council, 940-1216. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1963.
Stöber, Karen. The Community of St Cuthbert in the Later Middle Ages. Woodbridge: Boydell Press, 2010.
Photos:
August Schwerdfeger, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Photo has not been edited.
Charc2018, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. [cropped]
The Viking Age
Becherel, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. [cropped]