Lindisfarne Gospels facts for kids
The Lindisfarne Gospels is a very special hand-made book. It contains the four gospels from the Bible. Monks created this book around 700 AD. They made it at a monastery on Lindisfarne island. This island is off the coast of Northumberland, England.
Today, you can see the Lindisfarne Gospels at the British Library in London. It is one of the best examples of a style called insular art. This art style mixes ideas from the Mediterranean region, Anglo-Saxon England, and Celtic cultures. During that time, Britain and Ireland shared a unique art style. It was different from the rest of Europe.
Who Made the Gospels?
Most people believe Eadfrith made the Lindisfarne Gospels. He was a monk who later became the Bishop of Lindisfarne. He was bishop from 698 until he died in 721. The book has many beautiful pictures and designs.
Originally, the Gospels had a fancy leather cover. This cover was decorated with jewels and metals. But during the Viking raids on Lindisfarne, this original cover was lost. A new cover was made for the book in 1852. The writing inside the book is a special type of handwriting. It is known as 'insular script'.
An Early English Translation
In the 10th century, something very important happened to the Gospels. A man named Aldred added an Old English translation. He wrote this translation word-for-word between the lines of the original Latin text. Aldred was the Provost of Chester-le-Street. This makes the Lindisfarne Gospels the oldest known translation of the Gospels into the English language.
The Gospels might have been taken from Durham Cathedral much later. This happened during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. King Henry VIII ordered this event. In the 18th century, the book was given to the British Museum. Later, when the British Library was created, the Lindisfarne Gospels moved there.
Images for kids
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Folio 27r from the Lindisfarne Gospels shows the start of the Gospel of Matthew.
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An Evangelist portrait of Mark.
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A page from the Gospel of Luke.
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A beautiful Carpet page, F26v.
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See also
In Spanish: Evangelios de Lindisfarne para niños
