Lindisfarne
is situated off the Northumberland coast in the north east of England,
just a few miles south of the border with Scotland. The island is
linked to the mainland by a causeway which twice a day is covered
by the tide.
Aidan organized the building
the first monastery at Lindisfarne in 635. Aidan and his monks came
from the Irish monastery of Iona and with the support of King Oswald
worked as missionaries among the English living in Northumbria. In
their monastery they set up the first known school in this area. Lindisfarne
became known for its skill in Christian art of which the Lindisfarne
Gospels are the most important surviving example.
Cuthbert became prior of
Lindisfarne in 676. During this period Lindisfarne became known for
its skill in producing illuminated books. When Cuthbert died in 687
the magnificent Lindisfarne Gospels book was made for the occasion.
Lindisfarne, because it had been the home of St. Aidan and St. Cuthbert,
was visited by pilgrims and it was
claimed was responsible for several miracles.
In 999 attacks by the Danes
resulted in the monks of Lindisfarne moving the body of St. Cuthbert
and their sacred relics to Durham where it became a popular place
with pilgrims.
The first monastery on
Lindisfarne was built of wood. The Normans
built a more substantial monastery in the 12th century. The monastery
was dissolved by Henry
VIII in 1536.
Lindisfarne
in 2002
(1)
Sidney Heath, Pilgrim Life in the Middle Ages (1911)
Cuthbert is said to have
worked many miracles, and on one occasion stilled a tempest. In early
youth he was a shepherd, and it was while tending his sheep by night
that he had the vision which resulted in his adopting the religious
life. He became Prior of Lindisfame, and in 685 was Bishop of the
island. Two years later he died. In accordance with his wish his body
was wrapped in a linen cloth given him by the Abbess Yeoca, and buried
in a stone coffin, the gift of the Abbot Cudda. After the lapse of
eleven years the monks wished to remove his relics to a reliquary
above ground, and obtained the consent of Bishop Eadbert to their
plan. On opening the stone coffin, however, the body was found
in such a wonderful state of preservation that the monks hastened
to inform the bishop, who directed that a fresh garment should be
placed on the saint's body.
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