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Landisfarne Gospels, Tye Boudra-Bland

History Class Publications

The Lindisfarne Gospels are an illuminated manuscript, written between 680 and 720 by a monk working on the island of Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, which is off the northern coast of England.¹ An illuminated manuscript is a codex, or book, that is written by hand and is richly decorated with intricate designs and pictures and was the typical way that documents were copied. Until the invention of the printing press, manuscripts were the only way that books and records were documented and distributed. The complex and beautiful designs were often complimented by a jeweled or expensive cover …