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Legends of Lindisfarne

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These are the ruins of the medieval, Romanesque priory on the holy island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland (Northern England). Like famous Mont Saint Michele in France, Lindisdarne is a tidal island – when tides withdraw, it is surrounded by a vast sea of sand where, occasionally, one can see seals trapped on dry sand and waiting for the Northern Sea to return.

One summer, in 793, when the sea returned it brought with it ships from Scandinavia. Pagan Norsemen attacked Lindisfarne, killed local monks and looted the monastery’s treasures. It was the first Viking raid ever recorded in the Christian world and thus, the burning of Lindisfarne became the symbolic beginning of the Viking age.  Before the attack, the holy island was a major place of learning and culture – it served as a seat of a bishop and it was there when important saints – St. Aidan and St. Cuthbert made their mark on the world. It was also there where the famous, “Lindisfarne Gospels” were made – one of the most beautifully decorated, colourful early medieval manuscripts of northern Europe (you can see it here: www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/ttp/li…  At least, this is the one treasure we know of, who knows what other riches might have been taken by pagan marauders?

Those who survived the Viking raid fled south to Chester-le-Street and eventually, Durham. They carried with them the few treasures the Vikings were not interested in taking – including their most holy relic – the body of St. Cuthbert.  For almost 400 years, the holy island was abandoned and served as home only for birds and seals resting on its shores. This changed, however, in the Norman period when powerful, Norman prince-bishop of Durham decided to revisit the roots of his community – Benedictine monks were sent north and a priory was build on the island once more. Worship returned to Lindisfarne and in some ways, it continues to this day as, though the Romanesque church was destroyed during the dissolution of the monasteries – Christians still visit the island. When the tides withdraw, pilgrims walk the vast sea of sand and thus, the legends of Lidisfarne continue.

 

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Long-lost-sister's avatar
(Ooc; Theres a place in the witcher 3 I beileve with the same sounding name as this. XD