Cuthbert and Lindisfarne Island

Cuthbert, The Seventh Century Saint and His Life on Holy Island

Aug 31, 2009

Cuthbert was a monk and bishop who lived during some of the most important and exciting times in the history of medieval Christianity.

Lindisfarne Island, also known as Holy Island, off the coast of north-east England, was one of the most important sites in early Christian Britain.

The Life of Cuthbert of Lindisfarne

Cuthbert, who was born around 635AD, lived at the same time as Aidan, founder and bishop of Lindisfarne monastery. Cuthbert was a young shepherd who is said to have received a vision which inspired him to become a monk. At the age of sixteen, he joined Melrose monastery. Following thirteen years at the monastery, a spell as guest master at Ripon, and a second spell at Melrose as prior, he finally moved to Lindisfarne in 664AD.

But it was his decision in c665AD to move to Lindisfarne, which was to cement his reputation as a healer and holy man. Prior to this decision, in 651AD Cuthbert was made Bishop of Hexham, but exchanged the position for that of the sixty bishop of Lindisfarne. During his time as bishop, he rode out as far as the Scottish Borders, spreading the Christian message, preaching and baptising.

Cuthbert of Lindisfarne’s Life as a Hermit

During his ten years on the island, Cuthbert seems to have become a much-loved and popular monk. He had a reputation for healing and was visited by people from miles around, who had heard of his ability to perform miracles. However, he decided that the life of a hermit was calling him and moved, first to a tiny island off Lindisfarne, which later became known as St Cuthbert’s Isle, which like Holy Island was cut off by tides twice a day, and then to the larger and more isolated island of Inner Farne. Although it was cut off from everyday life, people still sailed to the island to get the hermit’s counsel.

The Death of Cuthbert of Lindisfarne

Although he was called out of his hermitage on the orders of King Ecgfrith, to become a bishop once more, Cuthbert returned to the life of a hermit ten years later. He died in 687 and was buried on the island.

The Cult of St Cuthbert

Cuthbert’s story doesn’t end with his death. Soon after his burial, healing miracles were reported by those who visited his grave. The monks of Lindisfarne hoped to elevate Cuthbert’s remains eleven years after his death when, they calculated, he would be a skeleton and his bones would be able to be removed and used as religious relics. However, on recovering his body, they were astonished to find it fully intact, with no signs of decay. This important event began the cult of St Cuthbert, as people felt that such a special sign must mean that Cuthbert was a sign. People travelled from miles around to visit Holy Island and pray for the saint’s blessing. These visits continued until Lindisfarne was attacked by Vikings in around 875AD and the island was abandoned by the monks. After extensive travels with the body of the saint, they eventually found his final resting place in the safety of Durham Cathedral.

Sources

The copyright of the article Cuthbert and Lindisfarne Island in Early Middle Ages is owned by Rachel Bellerby. Permission to republish Cuthbert and Lindisfarne Island in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.