The first historical novel about Cuthbert, much-loved saint of the North, a one-time warrior whose destiny it was to reconcile the warring parties in the early English Church.

Very fine collection of essays a rich feast of scholarship with many discoveries and new interpretations of greatest value for Anglo-Saxon history.' SPECULUM St Cuthbert is known to many as the the saintly bishop of Holy Island inthe 7th century, but he was also a figure of great political and territorial power. The book is divided into four sections, each dealing with different aspects of Cuthbert and his milieu. Among the topics investigated are the early Livesof the Saint, two by Bede himself, and his cult; Lindisfarne, its scriptorium and of course the famous Gospels; the sumptuous treasures gathered round the coffin, such as a portable altar and elaborately-worked silks, many of which are still preserved at Durham; and St Cuthbert's community at Chester-le-Street and Durham. Contributors: J. CAMPBELL, CLARE STANCLIFFE, MICHAEL HERITY, BENEDICTA WARD SLG, MICHAEL LAPIDGE, WALTER BERSCHIN, ALAN THACKER, DEIRDRE O'SULLIVAN, CHRISTOPHER D. VEREY, MICHELLE P. BROWN, JANET BACKHOUSE, R. BRUCE-MITFORD, DIBHI CRINN, NANCY NETZER, ROSEMARY CRAMP, RICHARD N. BAILEY, J.M. CRONYN, C.V. HORIE, R.I. PAGE, JOHN HIGGITT, ELIZABETH COASTWORTH, HERO GRANGER-TAYLOR, CLARE HIGGINS, ANNA MUTHESIUS, ERIC CAMBRIDGE, GERALD BONNER, LUISELLA SIMPSON, DAVID ROLLASON, DAVID HALL, A.J. PIPER, VICTORIA TUDOR

This book surveys the textual representation of Cuthbert, the premier northern English saint, from the seventh to fifteenth centuries.

In To the Island of Tides, Alistair Moffat travels to – and through the history of – the fated island of Lindisfarne. Known by the Romans as Insula Medicata and famous for its monastery, it even survived Viking raids. Today the isle maintains its position as a space for retreat and spiritual renewal. Walking from his home in the Borders, through the historical landscape of Scotland and northern England, Moffat takes us on a pilgrimage in the footsteps of saints and scholars, before arriving for a secular retreat on the Holy Isle. To the Island of Tides is a walk through history, a meditation on the power of place, but also a more personal journey; and a reflection on where life leads us.

OF all the English saints none figures more prominently in the history of the north of England than St Cuthbert. Reginald of Durham says that the three most popular saints of his day were Cuthbert of Durham, Edmund of Bury, and Aethilthryth of Ely; and he goes on to prove that Cuthbert was the greatest of the three. The saint's incorruptible body became the centre of a cult which, within a few centuries, had reached all parts of England and many parts of western Europe. Bede in his Prose Life puts into the mouth of the dying saint (c. 39) prophetic words which, though they seem peculiarly out of place on the lips of the humble-minded Cuthbert, were nevertheless destined to come true: "For I know that, although I seemed contemptible to some while I lived, yet, after my death, you will see more clearly what I was and how my teaching is not to be despised." Undoubtedly Bede's reputation had something to do with the widespread respect in which St Cuthbert was held, for the writings of the Jarrow monk, including his two Lives of St Cuthbert, were in constant demand from the eighth century onwards, not only in England but on the continent. Cuthbert, the disciple of Bede, who afterwards became abbot of Wearmouth and Jarrow, writes to Lull, bishop of Mainz (754-86), to say that he is sending him copies of the Life of St Cuthbert in prose and verse.l There are fourteen MSS of the Prose Life still preserved in continental libraries, the majority of which were written abroad; besides these there are several recorded in mediaeval catalogues and elsewhere and since lost, while eight of the Metrical Life also remain on the continent.4 That this popularity abroad was not entirely due to Bede seems to be evidenced by the fact that of the seven MSS of the Anonymous Life which still remain, it is almost certain that every one was written on the continent. In the ninth century his name appears in the Martyrologies of Florus of Lyons, of Wandalbert, of Rhabanus Maurus, of Ado of Vienne, ofUsuard, in Notker's Martyrology of Saint-Gall and in the Codex Epternacensis of the Hieronymian Martyrology. Alcuin in the same century could also say of him in an epigram: Laudibus ac celebrat quem tota Britannia crebris, Et precibus rogitat se auxiliare piis. In England many churches were dedicated to St Cuthbert, not only in the northern counties, but also as far afield as Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Dorsetshire, Somersetshire and Cornwall. In the Historia de Sando Cuthberto an anonymous author relates how Cuthbert appeared to King Alfred at Glastonbury and tells how the same king's dying commands to his son Edward were to love God and St Cuthbert.s Aethelstan on his way to Scotland, probably in 934, came to Chester-Ie-Street in order to bestow lands upon the saint and also treasures, some of which still survive. These are merely a few examples of the widespread cult which finally led to the building of the noblest of the English cathedrals and the establishment of a see at Durham more powerful in temporal authority and richer in estates than any other in the country. The chief authorities for the life of the saint are the two works that follow, the Life written by an anonymous monk of Lindisfarne, and Bede's Prose Life. The latter was not Bede's first attempt at writing a Life of St Cuthbert, for he had previously written a metrical version which was, as he explained in the Prologue to the Prose Life, "somewhat shorter indeed, but similarly arranged" (p. 147). The models for this twofold treatment of the subject were Sedulius' Carmen and Opus paschale, both of which were very familiar to Bede. Both Bede's versions are based upon the Anonymous Life, but both, in addition to filling out the concise account of the anonymous writer, have extra information to give.

The seventh-century Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne is one of England's most beloved saints, honored also by the Eastern Church. Saint Cuthbert's adventurous, yet humble spirit is demonstrated in this delightful tale of his encounter with an unruly raven. The lyrical, humorous text and simple, charming illustrations of Ravens of Farne will appeal to readers of all ages.

This inspiring 70-mile pilgrim route starts from North Berwick on the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh, and continues via Whitekirk's 12th century church to Dunbar. It follows the North Sea coastline to the stunning scenery of St Abb's Head and visits Coldingham Priory, perhaps Scotland's most important Benedictine monastery. Enjoy impressive cliffs and dramatic sea stacks between visits to historic fishing villages. Cross the border and enter Berwick with its ramparts, walls and bridges across the River Tweed. The route culminates with a barefoot crossing of the Holy Island sands to Lindisfarne, where St Aidan founded a monastery in AD 635.Most people will complete the route within 5 to 8 days, staying in friendly B&Bs along the route, but it can also be done in several shorter expeditions using train and bus. This 72-page guidebook contains all you need to plan and enjoy the Forth to Farne Way:route detail in sections, with distance, terrain and refreshmentswhere to find food and accommodationbackground on the spiritual dimension, geology and wildlifeplanning information for travel by train, bus, car or plane16 pages with detailed route mapping at 1:30,000in full colour, with 80 photographsrucksack-friendly and on rainproof paper.