St Cuthbert

Bishop Cuthbert of Lindisfarne (634-687) came from the Northumbrian middle classes. Although he spent long periods as a hermit, he was a very popular man and noted healer of plague-victims. In 685 King Ecgfrith persuaded Cuthbert to become Bishop of Lindisfarne, an estate which had grown rich under his royal patronage. When Cuthbert died two years later the monastic community started a cult in his name.

We know from the cults of St Wilfred, St Columba and St Brigid that a major cult would have required a beautiful Gospel Book. The Lindisfarne Gospels was probably begun as the major icon for the cult of Cuthbert.

By Aldred's day, the community had relocated to Chester-le-Street and Durham. His final inscription or 'colophon' added in the mid tenth century says the work was undertaken 'for God and St Cuthbert'.