Northumbrian Renaissance
Overview
The Northumbrian Renaissance was a period of cultural and intellectual flourishing that occurred in the Northumbria region of England during the 7th and 8th centuries, particularly during the reign of King Aldfrith of Northumbria (685-704).
During this period, Northumbria was home to a number of influential figures in literature, art, and science. One of the most important figures was the monk and scholar Bede, who is best known for his Ecclesiastical History of the English People, a comprehensive history of the English church and its relationship to the wider world.
Other notable figures of the Northumbrian Renaissance include Cuthbert, bishop of Lindisfarne and patron saint of Northumbria, and the poet Caedmon, who is considered the first English poet and is known for his religious hymns.
The Northumbrian Renaissance is characterized by a great deal of cultural exchange and interaction between the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and the wider world, particularly through the influence of Irish monks and scholars. This led to a rich and varied cultural landscape, with a focus on religious scholarship, artistic expression, and scientific inquiry.
Map of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria around 700 CE
King Aldfrith of Northumbria
King Aldfrith of Northumbria was a ruler who reigned from 685 to 704 CE, and he is considered an important figure of the Northumbrian Renaissance. Aldfrith was the son of King Oswiu and was raised in Ireland, where he likely received a classical education in Latin, Greek, and literature.
Upon his return to Northumbria, Aldfrith became known as a patron of learning and the arts, and he supported a number of important scholars and thinkers, including St. Bede. During his reign, the Northumbrian Renaissance flourished, with a focus on religious scholarship, artistic expression, and scientific inquiry.
Aldfrith himself was known as a scholar and intellectual, and he is thought to have been the author of a number of Latin poems and theological treatises. He also supported the creation of illuminated manuscripts, including the Lindisfarne Gospels.
Ruthwell Cross, South Face.
Art
One of the most famous examples of Northumbrian Renaissance art is the Lindisfarne Gospels, which were produced in the Lindisfarne monastery around 700 CE. The Gospels are a beautifully illustrated manuscript that contains the four Gospels of the New Testament, along with other religious texts and illustrations. The manuscript is notable for its intricate and detailed illustrations, which combine Celtic and Anglo-Saxon design elements with Christian iconography.
Another important form of art during the Northumbrian Renaissance was stone carving, particularly in the creation of Anglo-Saxon crosses. One of the most famous examples of this is the Ruthwell Cross, which is located in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. Dating from the early 8th century, it is one of the most impressive surviving examples of Anglo-Saxon sculpture. The cross stands over 18 feet tall and is decorated with intricate interlacing designs, biblical scenes, and inscriptions in Latin and Old English. The central panel of the cross depicts the crucifixion of Christ, while other panels feature scenes from the Old and New Testaments, as well as depictions of saints and angels. The Ruthwell Cross is a testament to the skill and artistry of the Anglo-Saxon sculptors, and remains an important example of early medieval art and culture.
Literature
The literature of the Northumbrian Renaissance was characterized by a strong emphasis on religious themes and a fusion of Celtic and Anglo-Saxon influences. One of the most notable literary works of the period is the Ecclesiastical History of the English People, written by Bede. This work is a comprehensive history of the English church, and is considered one of the most important works of early English literature.
Another important literary figure of the Northumbrian Renaissance was Caedmon, who is considered the first English poet. Caedmon was a monk at the abbey of Whitby, and is known for his religious hymns, which were often composed in Old English and sung in the vernacular. His work is notable for its combination of Christian themes with Anglo-Saxon poetic forms.
St. Cuthbert’s Gospel is an important artifact from this time, as it was produced in the region during the 7th or 8th century, likely around the same time as the Lindisfarne Gospels. The manuscript is a pocket-sized copy of the Gospel of John, and is written in Latin with Northumbrian Insular script. It is thought to have been produced at the monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow, where Bede was also active.
St. Cuthbert Gospel
Considered the oldest surviving book in the English language, the St. Cuthbert Gospel, also known as the Stonyhurst Gospel or the St. Cuthbert Gospel of St. John, is a remarkable example of Anglo-Saxon art. The manuscript, written in Latin, contains the Gospel of John and is bound in a cover made of finely tooled and decorated leather adorned with intricate designs of crosses, birds, and other animals. This artifact is a valuable piece of history, offering insights into both the content it contains and the art and culture of its time.
Discovered in the tomb of St. Cuthbert, an early Christian bishop and hermit who resided in the Northumbrian region of England in the 7th century, the St. Cuthbert Gospel was unearthed in 1104 when Cuthbert’s tomb was opened. It was found that the book had been buried alongside him. The manuscript was then taken to Durham Cathedral, where it remained for centuries. In the 17th century, it was sold to Sir Robert Cotton, a collector of rare books. Following his death, the book changed hands several times until it was acquired by the British Library in 1753, where it is still housed today.
Image: Front Cover of the St. Cuthbert Gospel, British Library.
Front Cover of the St. Cuthbert Gospel, British Library.
Religion
Religion was a central aspect of the Northumbrian Renaissance, with the Christian faith playing a significant role in shaping the culture and intellectual life of the region. Christianity had been introduced to Northumbria by St. Aidan in the 7th century, and it quickly took root in the region, with a number of important monasteries and abbeys being established.
The Northumbrian Renaissance was also marked by a strong monastic tradition, with monasteries and abbeys serving as important centers of religious and cultural activity. These institutions were responsible for the production of many of the most important works of art and literature of the period, and played a significant role in shaping the intellectual and spiritual life of Northumbria.
Influence
One of the most significant legacies of the Northumbrian Renaissance is its contribution to the development of the English language. Many of the works produced during this period, such as the Lindisfarne Gospels and the poetry of Caedmon, are considered early examples of the English language and have had a lasting impact on the development of English literature and culture.
Additionally, the Northumbrian Renaissance helped to establish Northumbria as a center of learning and creativity in early medieval Europe, and helped to shape the cultural and intellectual traditions of the region for centuries to come. Its legacy can be seen in the many important works of literature, art, and scholarship that continue to be produced in Northumbria and the wider world today.
Related Topics
Further Research & Sources
https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/st-cuthbert-gospel
https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/ruthwell-cross
Henderson, Isabel. The Burlington Magazine 130, no. 1029 (1988): 934–934. http://www.jstor.org/stable/883642.
Lindisfarne Gospels, British Library, Cotton MS Nero D.IV.
Bede, Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum, edited and translated by Bertram Colgrave and R. A. B. Mynors (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1969).
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, edited and translated by Michael Swanton (London: Phoenix Press, 2000).
Caedmon, The Hymn of Creation, in Anglo-Saxon Poetry, edited by R. M. Liuzza (New York: Norton, 2013), 40-44.
Ruthwell Cross, Ruthwell Church, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
Scowcroft, R. Mark, ed. The Northumbrian Renaissance: Essays on the Arts and Literature of the Early Medieval Period. London: University of Exeter Press, 2013.
Mitchell, Jerome, and Bruce Mitchell. The Making of English Literature: Anglo-Saxon to Middle English. London: Routledge, 2000.
Pulsiano, Phillip, and Elaine Treharne, eds. A Companion to Anglo-Saxon Literature. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2001.
DeGregorio, Scott, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Bede. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010.
“Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms: Art, Word, War” exhibition at the British Library, London, from 19 October 2018 to 19 February 2019.
British Museum, London: collection of Anglo-Saxon artifacts, including the Sutton Hoo treasure and the Franks Casket.
Jarrow Hall, South Tyneside: museum and heritage center dedicated to the life and legacy of St. Bede.
Photos:
August Schwerdfeger, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.
Ben McGarr, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.
Charc2018, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.