Holy Island - Lindisfarne was invaded by the Vikings and introduced to the word of God by St. Aiden - it is a place with an ancient history and great spirituality.
This small island can only be reached via a mile-long causeway linking it to the mainland. Twice a day the link is cut off by incoming tides which sweep across the sands with great speed.
Lindisfarne - Where Christianity was brought to Northumbria
St. Aiden trod this same route 1300 years ago to found his monastery and bring the word of God to Northumbria. Spirituality still haunts the place, especially when the wind whistles around the sand dunes and overwintering wilfdfowl and waders forage in the sandflats. As seabirds fight the wind and the North Sea crashes against the rocks it is not hard to imagine how hard were the lives of the monks, freezing in their primitive huts, who came to evangelise this wild and beautiful corner of England. Today, naturalists come from around the world to visit Lindisfarne and view the wildlife sanctuary on the nearby Farne Islands and the whole area has a remote, haunting quality.
Lindisfarne - Birthplace of English Christianity
You can walk over the cobbled path up to Lindisfarne Castle and look down at the cold grey waters of the North Sea which, in 793, carried the longboats of the Vikings. The coming of the Danish invaders brought to an end the Golden Age of Northumbria. With names like Eric Blood-Axe and Ivar the Boneless, they were a fearsome lot, bringing disruption and turmoil to the birthplace of English Christianity, where the arts had flourished and people worshipped in peace and security.
Lindisfarne Gospels
It was here, over twelve hundred years ago, that the magnificent Lindisfarne Gospels was produced. Now in the British Museum, this book was originally bound with gold and jewels and is illuminated with full-page portraits of the Evangelists. It is considered to be one of the finest works of art of the period and when the monks of Lindisfarne fled before the invaders they carried it with them, along with the body of St. Cuthbert who had been Lindisfarne's bishop in the 7th century.
Lindisfarne - St. Cuthbert and St, Aidan
Cuthbert and Aidan are names inextricably linked with Lindisfarne. It was through them that Northumbria was established as a cradle of Christianity and it is because of them that the island is one of the holiest places in Britain.
St. Aiden arrived at Lindisfarne in the year 635. Sent from Iona by King Oswald to preach the Gospel, he set up his church and monastery and instigated a period of intense spiritual and intellectual activity which made Lindisfarne, and Northumbria, one of the most important centres for art and learning in Britain.
St. Cuthbert, the sixth bishop in succession after Aidan, was a shepherd boy from Scotland who is said to have seen a vision of St. Aidan which led him to dedicate his life to God. Cuthbert was a gentle shy man who loved animals. Almost a recluse, he spent a good part of his life seeking further isolation on a nearby islet, scarcely more than a rock, where he built a chapel and shared his lonely vigil with the birds and sea otters. A stone chamber and a tall wooden cross mark the spot and it's a wonderful place to sit for a while in peace with only the reeling birds and the slapping waves for company. But don't get too lost in St. Cuthbert's world and allow the tide to sneak around you and cut you off. Fortunately, it is only a half tide and you can wade across to the main shore.
Lindisfarne Castle
Although not built until the sixteenth century, Lindisfarne Castle has almost become the trademark of Holy Island. Romantically perched on a high rock, it looks as though it has always been there. It was originally intended as a border fort and its thick walls were constructed with stones from the ruins of the priory. In the early l900's it was converted into a comfortable private home by Sir Edward Lutyens, the architect who designed the cenotaph in Whitehall as well as many other fine public buildings and country houses. It is now owned by the National Trust.
Lindisfarne - Holy Island
The village of Holy Island is a pretty little community where the ancient tradition of brewing mead survives and a modern factory manufacturers this aromatic brew, still made from the monks' ancient recipe of honey and herbs. Lindisfarne Mead is shipped all over the world and you can visit the factory to view the whole process.
For centuries pilgrims walked across the wet sands at low tide to pay homage to St. Aidan and
St. Cuthbert. Today, after checking the tide table, you can follow their route across the causeway. Visited off season on a bright clear day, and dominated by the castle on its high rock, Lindisfarne is a sight you will never forget.
Related articles;
- Northumberland National Park
- Walking in Northumberland
- Newcastle
- The English Eden
- Northumberland Walks - Hadrian's Wall
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