Lindisfarne Gospels

The Lindisfarne Gospels is a ceremonial illustrated manuscript incorporating the gospels of Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and art work with Anglo-Saxon and Celtic influences. The manuscripts were produced at the monastary on Lindersfarne (Holy Island) in honour of St Cuthbert and thought to be the work of Eadfrith, who was Bishop of Lindisfarne in 698-721.The manuscript had an important influence, contributing to Lindisfarne becoming a place of pilgrimage, in honor of St Cuthbert. 

The first Viking raid on Britain struck Lindisfarne in 793. After futher raids the monks moved the body of Saint Cuthbert and the Lindisfarne Gospels off the island to the priory at Chester-le-Street and later Durham. The manuscript was taken to London when when King Henry VIII ordered the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536, and the priories of Lindisfarne and Durham were broken up. The Lindisfarne Gospels are now held at the British Library in London, but have been temporarily exhibited in Durham in 2013.