In 883 monks from LindisfarneLindisfarne Also known as Holy Island, a peninsula off the coast of north-east England (Northumbria), this area is cut off from the mainland by the tide twice a day. A monastic community was founded here by St Aidan, in emulation of Iona. From Lindisfarne, missionary activity was conducted in the kingdom of Northumbria. The Anglo-Saxon community produced saints, the most prominent being St Cuthbert in whose honour the magnificent Lindisfarne Gospels were written., wandering the country after VikingViking Customarily refers to the Scandinavian explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, and settled in wide areas of Europe and the North Atlantic islands from the late eighth to the mid-eleventh century.There is some debate over the meaning of this word, which is attested but rarely used in the early medieval period. It was revived as a term in Scandinavian languages in the 17th century and in English in the early 19th. In contemporary sources it refers to a raider or pirate, often in association with ships and predatory activity. Some modern scholars try to keep to this restricted definition; others are happy with a wider range of meaning, applying the word to Scandinavians and their culture from approximately 790 to the mid or late 11th century, especially outside the Scandinavian homelands. raids destroyed their own monasteryMonastery The house of a religious community, settled in a timber church at Chester-le-Street. They brought with them the body of St CuthbertCuthbert, St (d. 687) Celtic monk and hermit. Bishop of Lindisfarne 685., and remained until 995, during which time the church was the cathedralCathedral (Latin cathedra' throne') Church which contains the throne of the bishop and hence the mother church of the diocese of the dioceseDiocese A geographical area composed of a number of parishes, under the administrative and spiritual jurisdiction of a Bishop. of Lindisfarne. In the mid-ninth century, Aldred, a monkMonk Member of male religious community at Chester-le-Street, added to the Lindisfarne GospelsLindisfarne Gospels A richly illuminated and decorated book of Gospels produced 696-698 by the monk Eadfrith on the Holy Island, Lindisfarne in Northumbria, in honour of St Cuthbert. The manuscript is in the British Library, (Cotton MS Nero D iv). a word-by-word translationTranslation Refers to the act of moving the body or other relics of a holy person. of the text into Old EnglishOld English The language and vernacular (English) literature of the Anglo-Saxons in England between the fifth and eleventh centuries., utilising the Venerable BedeBede, the Venerable (c.673-735) Anglo-Saxon historian and biblical scholar. Sent to study at the monastery of Wearmouth at seven; later transferred to Jarrow. Renowned in his lifetime for his learning, Bede wrote treatises on poetry, time and cosmography. Historical works include History of the Abbots, prose and verse versions of the Life of St Cuthbert and Ecclesiastical History of the English People.’s earlier translation of the GospelGospel (Greek evangelion, Old English godspel 'good news') 1. The central message of the Christian faith concerning salvation. 2. Title given to the four New Testament books which describe the life of Christ i.e. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 3. A reading taken from one of the four Gospels which has the place of honour in the Eucharist of St JohnJohn, St Evangelist, Apostle. Son of Zebedee and brother of St James the Great. One of the three disciples closest to Christ. Tradition states that he wrote the Fourth Gospel, the three Epistles of John and the Book of Revelation. In medieval iconography often stands with the Virgin Mary at the foot of the Cross. Symbol an eagle. Fragments of carved 9th and 10th century crosses survive showing animals and a knight and interlace patterns. The current church was built on the site of the timber one in c.1056 and some of the stones in the chancel and naveNave The central aisle in a longitudinal (basilican) church, often used for processions. Also the area used by the congregation during worship. are from that date.