Created at the ancient
Island monstery around 698ad by Bishop Eadfrith in 'memory of God
and Cuthbert' the Lindisfarne Gospels are now held in the security
of the British library in London. Probably by far the most valuable
book of its type in their possession, the gospels hark back to a
time in Anglo-Saxon history, long before the arrival of the
Normans, when, under the influence of the Germanic king, Oswald,
paganism had been overcome in a euphoric wave of Celtic
Christianity.
The Gospels Facimile |
Only on rare occasions does the book ever leave their
confines at the British Library and so is only to be seen by those
who make the pilgimage to their premises. Even then, they are kept
under security glass in carefully controlled environmental
conditions. In order to make the splendour of the book available to
everybody the British library have created two artifacts which they
have donated back to the gospel's birthplace:
- The Lindisfarne Gospels - Facsimile Edition
- The Lindisfarne Gospels - Interactive Turning Pages
Entrance to the Sanctum |
Both are held in a specially constructed display area at the
Heritage Centre. Entry to this highly atmospheric inner-sanctum is
via a medieval characterised lobby containing other interactive
displays and further educational resource media.
One of the Interactive Displays |
Dark high ceilings and spotlit images create a sense of
intimacy and reverence, very appropriate for the subject of the
high tech computers which host two copies of the 'Turning the Page'
electronic Lindisfarne Gospels. The interactive touch screen
programme faithfully reproduces the vibrancy of colour and
intricate design of the original manuscript. You will be able to
turn over 20 pages of the book and also admire its beautifully
tooled cover. An exciting merging of the old with the new.
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