The History Of The Most Famous Saint: Cuthbert, Patron Saint Of England | Our History

Summary

The script narrates the life and legacy of St. Cuthbert, a 7th-century Northumbrian aristocrat turned monk, who became a revered saint known for his healing and counsel. It details his journey from Melrose to Lindisfarne, the Synod of Whitby's impact on his religious practices, and his solitary life as a hermit. The script also discusses the significance of the Lindisfarne Gospels, the community's struggles during Viking raids, and Cuthbert's enduring influence, culminating in his final resting place at Durham Cathedral, a testament to his sanctity and the spiritual heritage he inspired.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Cuthbert, a holy bishop from the Church of Lindisfarne, was a man of renown whose death was marked by a great light and angelic escorts, signifying his entry into heaven.
• 🏰 Cuthbert's entry into religious life began at the monastery founded by Aidan at Old Melrose, where he was warmly received, marking the start of his spiritual journey.
• 🤴 There is no concrete information about Cuthbert's parentage, but it is believed he was of Northumbrian aristocratic extraction, like many other churchmen of his time.
• 🏛 Cuthbert played a significant role in establishing a network of monasteries in Northumbria, which served as missionary centers and later focused on organizing the church's doctrine.
• 🗣️ Cuthbert was known for his travels and his reputation as a healer and counselor, but the northern church faced challenges due to conflicts between the Irish and Roman traditions.
• 🏛️ The Synod of Whitby in 664 A.D. was a pivotal moment where the Roman tradition prevailed over the Irish in matters of church organization and the calculation of Easter.
• 🕊️ Despite initially being part of the Irish Celtic Church, Cuthbert conformed to the new Roman practices after the Synod of Whitby, bridging the two traditions.
• 🏞️ Cuthbert's time as a hermit on Inner Farne Island was marked by a deep connection with nature and a solitary life, embodying the spiritual warfare between good and evil.
• 🛐 In 685 A.D., Cuthbert became the Bishop of Hexham, a role that conflicted with his desire for solitude but was seen as a necessary duty in serving God and the church.
• 💎 The Lindisfarne Gospels, a masterpiece of the Anglo-Saxon period, was written by Eadfrith, who knew Cuthbert personally, and is a testament to the craftsmanship and spirituality of the time.
• ⛪️ Cuthbert's body was found incorrupt upon exhumation, leading to his recognition as a saint and the establishment of a cult around him, with his body becoming a revered relic.
• 🛡️ The community of Saint Cuthbert, including his relics and the Lindisfarne Gospels, faced Viking raids and embarked on a journey across Northern England, eventually finding a resting place at Durham Cathedral.

Q & A

Who was Aidan, and what significance does his death have in the script?

Aidan was the Bishop of the Church of Lindisfarne. His death marked the entry of Cuthbert into religious life and is significant as it led to a series of events that shaped Cuthbert's journey and the religious landscape of Northumbria.

What is the significance of Cuthbert's entry into religious life at Melrose?

Cuthbert's entry into religious life at Melrose signifies the beginning of his spiritual journey and his association with the monastic community, which would later influence the religious practices and missionary work in Northumbria.

What was the false claim made about Cuthbert's parentage by the monks of Durham in the late 12th century?

The monks of Durham falsely claimed that Cuthbert had Irish royal parentage, which was later debunked as nonsense, indicating that his actual parentage remains unknown.

What was Cuthbert's social status based on his arrival at Melrose?

Cuthbert's arrival at Melrose on a horse carrying a spear and accompanied by a servant suggests that he was of Northumbrian aristocratic extraction, rather than a shepherd boy.

What was the primary purpose of the network of monasteries established by Aidan throughout Northumbria?

The primary purpose of the network of monasteries was to serve as missionary centers to spread Christianity and establish a well-organized church in Northumbria.

What significant event took place at the Synod of Whitby in 664 A.D.?

The Synod of Whitby in 664 A.D. was a momentous event where the debate between the Irish and Roman traditions within the church was settled, with the Roman tradition, particularly the method of calculating Easter, being adopted.

How did Cuthbert's role change after the Synod of Whitby?

After the Synod of Whitby, Cuthbert conformed to the new Roman practices, becoming a bridge between the Irish Celtic and Roman traditions, and continued his work as a monk and healer within the newly established norms.

Why did Cuthbert choose to live a solitary life on Inner Farne Island?

Cuthbert chose to live a solitary life on Inner Farne Island to be closer to God's creation and to engage in spiritual warfare, allowing the struggle between good and evil to be fought within him without relying on human help.

What impact did Cuthbert's election as the Bishop of Hexham have on his life and the church?

Cuthbert's election as the Bishop of Hexham marked a significant shift in his life from a hermit to a leader within the church, requiring him to balance his personal spiritual journey with the responsibilities of overseeing a diocese.

What is the significance of the Lindisfarne Gospels in the context of the script?

The Lindisfarne Gospels are significant as they represent a pinnacle of artistic and religious achievement during Cuthbert's time. They also serve as a testament to the cultural and spiritual legacy of the period, influencing the perception and promotion of Cuthbert's cult as a saint.

How did the Viking raids affect the community of Saint Cuthbert?

The Viking raids forced the community of Saint Cuthbert to flee from Lindisfarne, leading to a period of wandering and eventually settling in various locations to protect their lands and relics, including the body of Cuthbert and the Lindisfarne Gospels.

Why was Durham Cathedral built?

Durham Cathedral was built as a shrine to house the body of Saint Cuthbert, following the major promotion of his cult during the traveling years and the need for a permanent place of prayer and pilgrimage.

What evidence supports the claim that Cuthbert's body remained incorrupt over time?

The evidence supporting the claim of Cuthbert's body remaining incorrupt includes the accounts of his body being found uncorrupt when exhumed in 698 and again in 1827, showing signs of mummification and preservation.

How did the cult of Saint Cuthbert contribute to the acquisition of lands for the church?

The cult of Saint Cuthbert attracted gifts of treasures and lands, which were vital for the early medieval church. These lands formed the basis of the power of the Prince Bishops of Durham and helped the church maintain its influence and control in the region.

Outlines

00:00

🛐 Cuthbert's Heavenly Vision and Monastic Life

The script opens with a vivid description of a holy bishop's ascension to heaven, witnessed by the narrator who later learns that Bishop Aidan of Lindisfarne had passed away at that moment. This event prompts Cuthbert to abandon his flocks and join the monastery at Old Melrose, marking the beginning of his religious life. Despite the 12th-century monks' attempts to attribute him Irish royal lineage, Cuthbert is believed to have been of Northumbrian aristocracy, as suggested by his arrival at Melrose on horseback with a servant. His life is marked by the establishment of monasteries and the resolution of the Easter dating controversy at the Synod of Whitby, where Cuthbert transitioned from Irish Celtic practices to Roman influence.

05:00

🌊 Cuthbert's Solitary Spiritual Journey and Episcopal Role

Cuthbert's spiritual journey is highlighted by his transition from the Celtic to the Roman church, his role as a prior at Lindisfarne, and his embracement of Roman orthodoxy. His solitary life on Inner Farne Island, where he lived close to nature and deepened his spiritual connection, is emphasized. Despite the fame that drew many visitors, Cuthbert's hermitage was a battleground for spiritual warfare, a concept prevalent during his time. His election as the Bishop of Hexham in 685 A.D. marked a significant shift from solitude to a more public role, though it was a role he initially resisted, believing it to be God's will.

10:02

🏰 The Legacy of Cuthbert and the Lindisfarne Gospels

This section delves into Cuthbert's posthumous legacy, beginning with the discovery of his incorrupt body, which led to his veneration as a saint. The script discusses the impact of Viking raids on the Lindisfarne community, forcing them to relocate with Cuthbert's relics, including the precious Lindisfarne Gospels. The Gospels, written by the monk Eadfrith, are a testament to the craftsmanship and religious significance of the period. The narrative also touches on the community's struggle to maintain their lands and the strategic importance of Cuthbert's sanctity in this endeavor.

15:04

📜 The Cultural Impact of Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede

The script explores the cultural and religious impact of Cuthbert, whose life and teachings inspired the construction of Durham Cathedral, a shrine to house his revered body. The narrative also introduces the Venerable Bede, whose work significantly contributed to the recognition of the Northeast on the map of medieval Europe. The focus is on the promotion of Cuthbert's cult, the translation of the Lindisfarne Gospels into Old English, and the significance of the relics and artifacts associated with Cuthbert, which are displayed in Durham Cathedral.

20:05

⚔️ Cuthbert's Enduring Spiritual Influence and the Power of Faith

The final paragraph reflects on the spiritual legacy of Cuthbert, whose life exemplified a passionate faith and love for people, challenging societal norms with the gospel message. His body's incorruptibility, witnessed even in 1827, underscores his sanctity. The script highlights the importance of land gifts to the early medieval church and the role of saints in acquiring them. It concludes by drawing parallels between Cuthbert's era and contemporary society, suggesting that his courage and simple gospel proclamation offer inspiration in the face of a largely pagan world.

Keywords

💡Cuthbert

Cuthbert is the central figure of the video, a holy man and saint who had a profound impact on the religious and cultural landscape of Northumbria during the 7th and 8th centuries. He is depicted as a man of aristocratic extraction who entered religious life at Melrose and later became a bishop. His journey from a Celtic churchman to embracing Roman orthodoxy is highlighted, showing his adaptability and influence in the religious practices of the time.

💡Lindisfarne

Lindisfarne is a significant location in the script, referring to both the church and the island that played a crucial role in Cuthbert's life and legacy. It is where Aidan, the bishop who influenced Cuthbert, served, and later where Cuthbert himself became a prior and eventually a bishop. The island's monastery was a center of learning and religious practice, and its defense against Viking raids is also mentioned.

💡Monastery

A monastery is a community of monks living a religious life under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. In the script, monasteries are described as missionary centers throughout Northumbria, established by Cuthbert and others. They served as focal points for religious practice and the spread of Christianity, with Melrose and Lindisfarne being key examples.

💡Synod of Whitby

The Synod of Whitby was a pivotal event in the script, representing a significant turning point in the Christian church in England. It was a meeting in 664 AD that decided on the calculation of Easter and the adoption of Roman church practices over the Irish tradition. This event marked a shift in Cuthbert's religious practices and had lasting effects on the organization of the church in Northumbria.

💡Viking Raids

Viking Raids refer to the series of attacks by Viking invaders on the coastal regions of England during the late 8th and 9th centuries. In the script, these raids led to the disruption of monastic life at Lindisfarne, forcing the monks, including those who guarded Cuthbert's relics, to flee and seek refuge elsewhere, thus beginning a long journey for Cuthbert's community.

💡Incorrupt

The term 'incorrupt' is used to describe Cuthbert's body, which was found to be undecayed after his death. This was interpreted as a divine sign of his exceptional holiness and contributed to the rapid spread of his cult as a saint. The incorrupt state of his body was a key factor in the establishment of his shrine and the continued veneration of Cuthbert.

💡Cult of Cuthbert

The Cult of Cuthbert refers to the religious devotion and practices centered around Saint Cuthbert following his death. The script describes how his incorrupt body and the miracles attributed to him led to the establishment of a cult, with his relics being moved and venerated in various locations, culminating in the construction of Durham Cathedral as his final resting place.

💡Lindisfarne Gospels

The Lindisfarne Gospels are a highly decorated manuscript of the four Gospels of the New Testament, created at Lindisfarne. The script mentions the Gospels as a significant artifact of Anglo-Saxon England, reflecting the artistic and religious heritage of the period. The Gospels are also tied to the story of Cuthbert, as they were produced during his lifetime and were part of the treasures that accompanied his community during their travels.

💡Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual warfare is a concept in the script that represents the ongoing struggle between good and evil, with humans caught in the middle and called to choose a side. Cuthbert, as a hermit, is depicted as engaging in this warfare, relying solely on God for strength. This concept is integral to understanding the spiritual challenges faced by Cuthbert and the broader context of Christian thought during his time.

💡Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral is the final resting place of Saint Cuthbert's relics, as described in the script. It was built as a shrine to house his body and has become a significant site of pilgrimage and prayer. The cathedral is also an architectural testament to the Norman influence on an Anglo-Saxon saint, encapsulating the legacy of Cuthbert and the spiritual heritage he represents.

Highlights

Vision of St. Aidan's ascension to heaven witnessed by Cuthbert, marking his entry into religious life.

Cuthbert's likely aristocratic background, suggested by his arrival at Melrose on horseback with a servant.

Cuthbert's role in establishing monasteries as missionary centers in Northumbria.

The influence of the Irish tradition on Cuthbert's early monastic life.

The Synod of Whitby in 664 A.D. and its pivotal decision on the calculation of Easter.

Cuthbert's transition from Irish Celtic practices to Roman Orthodoxy after the Synod of Whitby.

Cuthbert's appointment as prior of the monastery on Lindisfarne and his efforts to reestablish it.

Cuthbert's solitary life and spiritual connection with nature on Inner Farne.

The concept of spiritual warfare and Cuthbert's role as a frontline soldier in this battle.

Cuthbert's reluctant acceptance of the role of Bishop of Hexham in 685 A.D.

The preservation and translation of the Lindisfarne Gospels, a significant artifact of Anglo-Saxon England.

The journey of St. Cuthbert's community and relics during the Viking raids, leading to their eventual resting place in Durham Cathedral.

The incorrupt state of Cuthbert's body, a sign of his sanctity, and its impact on the development of his cult.

The construction of Durham Cathedral as a shrine to house St. Cuthbert's relics.

The continued reverence and inspiration drawn from St. Cuthbert's life and sanctity over the centuries.

The discovery of St. Cuthbert's intact mummified body in 1827, confirming his sanctity.

The significance of St. Cuthbert's shrine in attracting gifts, treasures, and land, foundational to the power of the Prince Bishops of Durham.

Transcripts

i'm sure it was some holy bishop or some

man of renown from the number of the

faithful that i saw born to heaven in

the splendor of that great light and

escorted by so many bands of angels

when morning came he learned that aidan

bishop of the church of lindisfarne had

entered the kingdom of heaven at that

very time

cuthbert at once delivered the flocks he

was tending and presented himself to the

monastery founded by aidan at old

melrose on the tweed

and the gates were opened wide to

receive him

this also marks cuthbert's entry into

religious life

it also started a journey that was to

continue way after his death

we don't know anything about cuthbert's

parentage in the late 12th century the

monks of durham very ingeniously tried

to foist on him an irish royal parentage

but that is demonstrably nonsense we

simply don't know who his parents were

we are told by the early lives that when

cuthbert arrived at melrose to become a

monk he was riding on a horse carrying a

spear accompanied by a servant and those

are not the marks

of a shepherd boy but rather of a

northumbrian aristocrat

so that it seems to me we can be pretty

confident that cuthbert was of

aristocratic extraction just like all

the other church men from northumbria in

the seventh and eighth centuries that we

know anything about

one of

great achievements was to lay down a

network of monasteries

throughout northumbria which could serve

as missionary centers

by the time cuspart was a mature person

these were still operating as missionary

centers but sometimes in conflicting

groups there had been foundations of

various types in northumbria in deir and

benicia

and so by this time

it was no longer the missionary thought

but actually getting the doctrine

straight and

deciding on the organization

of a church that was now well

established in northumbria

cuthbert traveled widely and his

reputation as a healer and a counsellor

quickly spread

but all was not well with the northern

church

the irish tradition under aiden was

coming under increasing pressure from

the roman tradition which was practiced

elsewhere in the country

finally in 664 a.d king osway called for

an end to all the arguments the

differences were to be settled one way

or another at a great synod the venue

chosen was whitby when

the most momentous decision had to be

made in the church in 664

namely what organization the church

should follow

this debate took place here at whitby

and hild organized it

now this debate was to see whether the

continental church and the kentish

church and its organization

uh was to prevail and really it turned

to so many christian things do

unfortunately on matters of um

custom where how people wore their

tonsil but more importantly when easter

was to be celebrated and that's a method

of calculation the celtic church from

iona had celebrated easter on one date

and the

kentish church and continental church on

another and this was resolved here in a

great synod which the king presided what

prevailed actually was a continental

form of calculation

i myself think that this is one of the

points which people can attempt to make

far too much

of of the of the story

i think that the outcome of the synod of

whitby was a foregone conclusion if it

had not happened then it would have

happened very soon afterwards

so i don't see a lot of significance i

don't think that there was that much

difference between the irish approach

and the continental approach

and

i think people have played this up

to

um emphasize

differences in approaches to

christianity which are much more recent

in origin than the period we're thinking

of cuthbert was certainly influenced by

the irish church which aiden introduced

into northumbria the monastery where he

became among melrose was founded under

the irish influence particularly of the

church of iona

when irish methods particularly

calculating easter were abandoned in

northumbria after the synod of whitby in

664

cuthbert evidently conformed to the new

roman influence practices so in that

sense he began as an irish celtic

churchman and modified

to the new practices of northumbria

after 664.

the outcome of the synod of whitby was

not welcomed by everyone

coleman having lost the debate for the

celtic church returned to iona

cuthbert was then sent to the abbey on

lindisfarne as prior second in command

and there started his great association

with the holy island

cuthbert's job was to set the monastery

back on its feet again after the

departure of so many monks who left with

coleman

although schooled in the celtic church

cuthbert then embraced roman orthodoxy

and became a kind of

linchpin a bridge if you like between

these two great traditions

i think you understand catholic

spirituality one has to realize he

stands in

a christian tradition

which goes back for several centuries

i would say it's starting

in the deserts of egypt in the third or

fourth century

here people go into the desert

partly to meet or primarily to meet god

but also partly

to

enjoy the solitude

and to fight with the demonic powers

which have been driven out of the

christian city

and have taken refuge in the desert

wastes

this is the tradition which since aidan

brought

farm where catherine was trained

cuthbert was drawn to a more solitary

life so he began on an island next to

the monastery

but his fame attracted a lot of visitors

so following in the footsteps of aiden

he looked towards the other fine islands

it was here on inner farn that cuthbert

set up his own hermitage

it was here that he learned to live very

close to the earth the sea and the sky

and the harsh irish tradition

but it was here that cuthbert became

almost as one

with god's creation

cuthbert lived at a time when a major

part of christians thinking was the idea

of a spiritual warfare a war between god

and the forces of evil

this warfare goes on continuously and we

human beings are caught up in it and can

only decide which side to fight on

if god called a person to be a hermit

he was not calling that person away from

the battle but rather further into the

battle to be a frontline soldier

because the hermit had to allow the

struggle between good and evil to be

fought out in himself without relying on

any human help but relying only on god

however if the hermit remained faithful

and as it were won this spiritual battle

the benefit the spiritual benefit to the

whole church would be enormous so it was

not a selfish ideal and it certainly

wasn't a rest cure

[Music]

cuthbert spent nearly nine years here

most of that time in splendid isolation

although the monks of lindisfarne did

have to build him a small guest house to

receive his many visitors

however cuthbert's solitude was not to

last forever in 685 a.d he became the

newly elected bishop

of hexson

[Music]

the chapel that now stands on the farm

is of a much later date than cuthbert's

simple cell

[Music]

if you were a bishop in the roman church

you had a diocese

so you had a definite territory that you

were fixed to

and you didn't overlap into the next

person's territory

if you were a celtic bishop

quite often you roamed wherever you felt

the spirit took you and you didn't have

such a fixed area

i think cuthbert decided to become a

bishop because

after he first refused

he would have another wrestle with

himself and with his god

and the big question would be god is

this what you want me to do not what i

want but what do you want me to do

and i think

sadly for cuthbert

the conclusion was that this is what he

would have to do

it seemed that he was the right man to

do it

and he was in the right place to move

from

when i first came across the celtic

states aid and cuthbert stood out

and i wanted to know what motivated them

what was it that enabled them to have

such impact upon individuals and

communities

and culture itself and i came to the

conclusion that it was a love of christ

and uh that passion and that sense of

adventure and taking risks for the cause

of god were the things that that

were inspirational to us in our own

community we've drawn from their

inspiration not worshiping them but

worshipping the god whom they worshipped

whom we seek to serve as as they did

well cusped from the word go was a man

of enormously holy life i think it's

fair to describe him as a living saint

when he was eventually persuaded to

become a bishop of course he the seas of

northumbria were transferred around to

allow him to remain at lindisfarne and

we are told that saint casper himself

appreciated this but the community would

have appreciated it even more because

the last thing they would have wanted

would be to lose their living saint to

another part of the country

cuthbert died here on inner farn in 687

a.d

the monks that were with him lit torches

to signal the news to the waiting

community over on linda's farm

although he wanted to be buried here he

finally agreed that his body could be

taken back to lindisfarne knowing full

well that the burial place will become a

shrine

however

that was to start a journey that will

continue for over 300 years

the really extraordinary thing about

cuthbert for his contemporaries was the

fact that his body had been found

incorrupt and that was interpreted as a

special sign from god that he was an

exceptionally holy man

that generated an immediate interest in

his cult as a saint and his fame spread

very rapidly in anglo-saxon england and

beyond into early medieval europe

it was quite obvious even during his

lifetime that cuthbert

had an aura of sanctity around him

and when he died in 687 uh his body was

buried as

was usually in these cases but equally

as usual in these cases

some years later 698 his body was

exhumed now at that stage one would

normally have expected the body to be

reduced to a series of bones and current

practice for those who

wanted to turn the saints as it were or

recognize a saint

was to gather the bones together and set

them in a shrine

to the great surprise and great delight

of lindisfarne monks cuthbert's body was

found to be incorrupt

the flesh had not decayed

and so they carried him into the church

at lindisfarne and set his incorrupt

body in a shrine and that was the

beginnings of the cultists and cuthbert

cuthbert's body began his remarkable

journey when the peace and prayer of

lindisfarne was shattered by some

unwelcome visitors the vikings

in 793 a.d viking longships were spotted

on the horizon they headed straight for

linda's farm

those monks who stayed were either

slaughtered or sold into slavery beed

tells us that the attacks carried on up

and down the coastline eventually the

situation got so bad that the community

on linda's farm had had enough they

packed up and left

it is said that the monks first sought

refuge in this cave now known as

cuthbert's cave

later they dismantled the wooden church

of saint peter collected the relics of

aiden cuthbert and oswald and took

everything to norham on the tweed

however as the viking raids got worse

they loaded everything onto a cart and

set off westwards with a view to going

to ireland

but they never made it and in trying

they nearly lost the lindisfarne gospels

in the sea

instead the community of cuthbert turned

their attention back towards northumbria

the picture which is painted by later

durham tradition in the 12th century is

of this small group of wanderers

working their way across northern

england

oppressed on all sides that's the

picture that's painted in the later

durham sources but they are in fact

romanticizing it almost certainly what

they're actually doing is going around

their estates going around the lands

which actually belong to the cuthbert

community

later sources tell us that the community

of saint cuthbert was forced to flee

from its original base on holy island

and then subsequently after a brief stay

at norham just up the tweed valley

considerably further south during the

disruptions caused by viking raids at

the end of the ninth century

one reason why they would have chosen

chesley street in particular is probably

because then there may well have been

substantial traces of the

fought defenses the roman fought

defenses which would have given them

some sort of protection in politically

unstable times

during the 9th century the community of

saint cuthbert had acquired extensive

landed estates in the area of what is

now county durham and one suspect that

they were trying very hard to defend

those estates

even if that meant moving cuthbert's

body into the middle of them and of

course even the vikings when they became

christian were very aware of the power

of a saint and

the perils of crossing him so cuthbert

was in a sense their their strongest

weapon in attempting to hold on to their

lands in this part of northumbria

the lindisfarne gospels was written by a

monk called a adverse whose name is

recorded for us in a 10th century

colophon in the manuscript itself and he

was a member of the lindisfarne monastic

community he had known saint cusbert in

his lifetime

he afterwards became bishop of

lindisfarne possibly because he was a

craftsman of such outstanding merit and

this was something that mattered very

much to the celtic church

today the value of the lindisfarne

gospels is immeasurable particularly for

students of anglo-saxon england

because the manuscript survives

it is uniquely perfect it is uniquely

splendid

because we know where and when the

manuscript was made within a very very

short period it is in fact a touchstone

for every other 7th and 8th century

artifact that has come down to us

there's considerable controversy about

the reason for the production of the

lindisfarne gospels some people think

they were produced in anticipation of

translating cuthbert's body into his

shrine in 698

other people think that they were

produced in response to those events

that the community suddenly realized

they needed an exceptionally

elaborately decorated gospel group for

liturgical use in the church after the

cult had become established it's

difficult to choose between those

alternatives but at any rate it must

date between the very end of the seventh

and the first quarter of the eighth

century

the manner in which cuthbert's cult was

promoted is actually quite well known to

us

in the first place we possess a

remarkable number of early accounts of

cuthbert we possess two prose lives in

latin

a adverse life in latin and as many as

six chapters devoted exclusively to

cuthbert in beads ecclesiastical history

so an awful lot of writing went on about

cuthbert by early medieval standards in

the first decades of the eighth century

now i don't think that writing was

accidentally produced obviously cuthbert

was a well-known figure but there must

also have been people who were promoting

that writing well the story of the

lindisfarne gospels is almost as

extraordinary as that of the community

of some cuthbert himself

it was at chestnut street that the

translation into old english the native

tongue of the members of the community

was first made this window shows the

earlier history of the gospels they're

making by bishop bayern fifth of

lindisfarne at the end of the seventh or

the beginning of the eighth centuries

and it's clear from analysis of the

hand of the manuscript that a single

person wrote it and designed all the

famous illumination bishop ethelworld of

lindisfarne aired for his successor was

responsible for binding the manuscript

and wilfried the anchorite you see them

both at work in this panel that was

actually decorating the cover for the

gospels it's easy to forget that these

books were covered with precious metal

and jeweled outer covers for liturgical

use in church

and finally of course it would have been

taken from chesley street together with

the other alexis cuthbert to what was

its final resting place in the middle

ages at durham itself

and so it was that a thousand years ago

this year the relics of saint cuthbert

arrived here

there'd been a major promotion of the

cult of cuthbert during those traveling

years and the presence of those relics

here at durham led to the building of

the cathedral you now see standing

behind me

here behind the high altar of durham

cathedral is carved a single name on a

slab of rock

cuthbertus

around the tomb a small wall was built

reminiscent of the cell on cuthbert's

isle

surrounding that a magnificent cathedral

was built as a shrine to house the body

of the north's best loved saint

today it is a world heritage site

cuthbert was brought here a thousand

years ago in the year 995 on the last

stage of his great journey from

lindisfarne

and was

buried here and a great shrine

was built over his

burial place

so that for a thousand years he's been

at the center of our spirituality so

that this cathedral church has been a

place of prayer in pilgrimage for a long

time all because of him

he was clearly a holy man who made a

great impression on all sorts of people

in his day

and

reading beads life of cuthbert we have

glimpses of

the substance of that holiness and that

can be an inspiration to us

he was working in a part of the world

that was largely pagan and many say that

we're in that position today so we

get great inspiration from his courage

and his bravery

and the very simple way in which he

revealed the gospel and what he did and

in what he said

from time to time over the centuries the

tomb has been opened and the body of

cuthbert found to be uncorrupt the last

time this happened was in 1827.

what rayne found when he opened up the

tomb in 1827

uh

very much as far as i can see to his

surprise was that there were clear signs

still of a mummified body there

and the body was more or less intact

unlike almost any other saint whose

bones were scattered across europe

cuthbert had remained intact

the saint was a holy person

the the shrine was a holy place this was

a place where you in a sense had access

to heaven and to the holy

the saints attracted gifts gifts of

treasures and also gifts of land

and land was vitally important for the

early medieval church

the cuthbert community which gradually

acquired lands all over northumberland

durham over in cumbria down into

yorkshire the whole basis really of the

power of the prince bishops of durham in

the later period was all built upon a

saint who attracted gifts of land

the most important items are the coffin

and the little portable altar

that was found and also cuthbert's

pectoral cross

and also some priestly garments what's

called a manipulator and a stone

which

dates a couple of centuries after

cuthbert's time and a cone too that

was found there

and it really is unparalleled in this

country is on display in durham

cathedral durham cathedral which in a

sense is a great norman tribute to an

anglo-saxon saint the whole building

wrapped around that shrine

i think we can learn a number of things

from the chaotic saints there was a

depth to their lives there was a depth

of spirituality that sustained them in

in their ministry and their mission

there was an accessibility about the

faith that they proclaimed and

demonstrated so as they lived openly

among other folk he didn't have to climb

over some church wall or you know learn

a new church language it was a faith

that related to people where they were

challenge the things in society that the

gospel would challenge

it became accessible for people and it

was very vibrant it was a passionate

faith passionate spirituality a love of

god love for people desire to share his

good news to the world

but cuthbert's body does not lie here

alone at this end of the cathedral lies

the tomb of a man whose work put the

northeast on the map the map of new

europe

that man's name is the venerable bead

but that as they say

is another story

[Music]

you