The Lindisfarne Gospels
The original Lindisfarne Gospels are housed in the British Library, but you can find a facsimile of this extraoridnary book on Holy Island’s Heritage Centre.
The Gospels are an illuminated manuscript, containing the four gospels. They were created around 700 AD in the scriptorium at monastery on the island. They are a stunning example of Anglo-Saxon art, believed to have been inscribed by one talented artist, possibly a monk named Eadfrith.
You can see examples of the art of the Lindisfarne Gospels in the images below (courtesy of the British Library).
Spine and front cover of the Lindisfarne Gospels
Lindisfarne Gospels, front cover
Incipit page to St. Mark's Gospel.Text with decorated letters 'INI'. Decorated borders
St.Mark, seated, with his symbol, a winged lion blowing a trumpet and carrying a book
Carpet page opening St. Mark's Gospel
Preface to St Mark's Gospel; beginning with initial 'M', formed by stylized animal and interlace decoration
Incipit page to St. Matthew's Gospel. Text with decorated letters 'LIB'. Decorated borders
Carpet page, introducing St. Matthew's Gospel.
![Second incipit page to St. Matthew's Gospel; Matthew 1, 18; beginning of the Christmas story. Text with decorated chi-rho [XPI] monogram](https://visitlindisfarne.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Lindisfarne-Gospels-Illustration-15.jpg){kind=link}
Second incipit page to St. Matthew's Gospel; Matthew 1, 18; beginning of the Christmas story. Text with decorated chi-rho [XPI] monogram
St. Matthew, writing. He is accompanied by his symbol, a winged man blowing a trumpet and carrying a book; a figure holding a book appears by the curtain
Preface to St Matthew's Gospel, beginning with decorated monogram 'MA' with stylised interlace and animal decoration
Incipit page introducing St. Jerome's letter to Pope Damasus. Text, with decorated initial 'N',
Carpet page introducing St Luke's Gospel
Canon table.The third of sixteen canon table pages. It is decorated with stylized birds on the columns and arch, and interlace pattern on the capitals and bases of the columns
Table of chapters to St Luke's Gospel
St Luke's Gospel, chapter 1, verses 1-12. Verse 5 beginning with initial 'F', with interlace decoration
Carpet page opening St. John's Gospel
Gospel of St Matthew, chapter 4, 24-25, to chapter 5, 1-10
The end of the Preface to St Mark's Gospel
Incipit page to St. Luke's Gospel. Text, with decorated initial 'Q'. Decorated borders.
Incipit page to St. John's Gospel.Text with decorated letters 'INP'. Decorated border
Miniature of St.Luke, with his symbol, a winged calf carrying a book,
The winged calf of St Luke. Stylized drawing of the symbol of St Luke, the winged calf; with text
End of St Jerome's letter to Pope Demasus. Initial 'P', with stylised interlace and animal decoration
Carpet page introducing St. Jerome's letter to Pope Damasus
St. John, with his symbol, an eagle carrying a book.