The Medieval Bible — Manuscript and Book Production

The Lindisfarne Gospels

c. AD 715-720

The Lindisfarne Gospels unite the Latin Gospel text with extraordinary Insular calligraphy and illumination.

Full Account

The manuscript contains Jerome's Latin Gospel text, canon tables, decorated opening pages, and portraits of the evangelists. Its design combines Mediterranean Christian forms with artistic traditions of Britain and Ireland.

In the tenth century, Aldred added an Old English interlinear gloss, creating the earliest surviving translation of the Gospels into English in a continuous form.

Historical Significance

The manuscript embodies the union of Scripture, missionary culture, artistic devotion, and later vernacular explanation.

People, Places and Sources

Key people: Eadfrith; Ethelwald; Billfrith; Aldred
Key places: Lindisfarne; Durham; now British Library
Languages: Latin, English