The Lindisfarne Gospels

Twelve expert contributions examine the text, art, and Old English gloss of this masterpiece of Anglo-Saxon book culture in relation to its archaeological, historical, cultural, and art-historical contexts, Insular and Continental.

This lavishly illustrated book explores the early history and significance of the Lindisfarne Gospels, widely regarded as the finest surviving Anglo-Saxon manuscript of the early Christian era in England, and an unquestioned masterpiece of medieval calligraphy and illumination.

The Lindisfarne Gospels is one of Britain's greatest artistic treasures, a surviving example of Anglo-Saxon book painting of the late-seventh century. Written and illuminated in honour of God and St Cuthbert, in about AD 698 by the monk Eadfrith, afterwards Bishop of Lindisfarne, it is famous for the quality and intricate design of its decorated pages.

Aldred’s interlinear gloss to the Lindisfarne Gospels is a key text of late Old Northumbrian. The papers in this collection approach the gloss from a variety of perspectives to shed light on numerous issues, such as the authorship of the gloss, its morphosyntax and vocabulary, its sources and intertextual relations, and Aldred’s cultural affiliations.

Michelle Brown presenting the facsimile of the Lindisfarne Gospels at the shrine of St Cuthbert, Durham Cathedral. Cecil Brown --Book Jacket.

"First published 2003 by The British Library, London"--T.p. verso.