Sadly, in my haste to share with you my exciting revelation about The Dun Cow in last Friday's post, I neglected some pretty important information, without which one might be tempted to jump to the conclusion that the whole bit about the monks carrying St. Cuthbert's coffin from place to place was just one more installment of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It wasn't.
First of all, the year was A.D. 875 when the monks left Lindisfarne with the remains of St. Cuthbert, sacred vessels, and books. The monks were not wandering aimlessly, but fleeing from murderous invading hoards who would desecrate and destroy. The fact that St. Cuthbert was a spiritual father to the monks in NE England, and that any manuscript would have been precious, it stands to reason that they would flee to protect themselves and their holy charge. The went from one monastery to the next, staying for a while, sometimes many years, before moving to another.
When St. Cuthbert's coffin was opened in 1104, the small 7th century Latin translation of the Gospel of John was found, believed to be the oldest intact book produced in Europe. It was sold to the British Library in 2011.
I should have waited for Mike from A Bit About Britain or James from J_on_Tour to write a post on Durham Cathedral.* Either would do a much better job with the history. So be looking forward to that. You might even coax them. Tell them that I sent you over to twist their arms. :-)
Looking east toward rood screen, quire, and chancel
A privilege to stay for Evensong Service, where we sat in the quire
Choir, chancel, east rose window
You can tell I was quite taken with the varied patterns of the columns
(Photos by Mr. C.)
(Photos by Mr. C.)
Modern tester over St. Cuthbert's shrine
Shrine of St. Cuthbert
Until the mid-16th century, the tomb was ornate, high off the ground, and bejeweled. Today's is a much simpler arrangement, thanks to Henry VIII. Note, in the background, the headless statue of St. Cuthbert. In their zeal to get rid of 'idols,' some forgot that idols are anything in our lives that we place ahead of God.
Much more to come, I'm afraid. We still haven't gotten to The Venerable Bede.
Tune in next week.
*It was a special treat for Mr. C. and me to meet bloggers Mike, his lovely wife, and James at Durham Cathedral, spending the afternoon touring the cathedral and attending Evensong. The natives were, indeed, friendly, and we so enjoyed our time with them.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
***
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40 comments:
Judy this is truly a magnificnet building adn you continue to capture it so well The history is wonderful and I am looking forward to seeing and lear even more adn learning even more. It was great that you got to walk round with things people as was there for evensong. Have a lovelly weekend.
I enjoyed the history and this beautiful cathedral. Your photos are lovely..Thanks for sharing your trip! Have a happy weekend!
I love the history in your post on the monk. Great job.
the finding of the gospel would make my heart skip a beat!!! How thrilling, and such a treasure to our history of mankind.
I appreciate you sharing more on St. Cuthbert and his long 'journey'. I wonder whatever happened to his head from the statue. Wonderful that the ancient gospel of John was found in the coffin! I'm glad you got to meet Mike (who I follow) and his wife. His posts are so interesting! I'll have to pop over to visit James's blog. I hope you have a nice spring weekend. Pam
every single view of this building is awe inspiring, as it was meant to be.. the book is amazing to me, to be that old...
Glorious pictures!!! I hadn't thought of Monty Python when I read your post. But now that I think of it, it is kind of funny. NOT that it was then, but just your description today.
My gosh, Judy! That is just amazing!!!! I love those columns, too. The whole cathedral is just a work of art really. Finding that gospel in the coffin is nothing short of amazing!!!! xo Diana
I so enjoy visiting a magnificent cathedral and then to stay for evensong is icing on the cake. Glad you met up with some bloggers and enjoyed the time. There is so much history to enjoy, too. We've been to the British Library a couple times to be awestruck by all the important documents and books they display there. Thanks for your tour. Speaking of Monty, when we took our daughter to Great Britain (a literary buff and Monty Python fan) we visited Castle Doune near Sterling Scotland and clomped around the grounds with coconut shells... I've gone on too long. Thanks for posting photos of this beautiful cathedral.
such a grand cathedral!
Hi from a fellow Anglophile. The cathedral is glorious, what a privilege to worship there.
This is such an important history, and you have shared it tastefully and in such an interesting style. Your photos share the grand beauty of it as well!
It is a beautiful building. I liked seeing all of the interior views of such a decorated place.
Your pictures are so stunning! I make soaps too, but just do heat and pour. I have a little one that is asthmatic and can't have lye and such in the house. I think it's so cool you do Downton Abbey soaps. I am already mourning the end of the show after next season.
Wow! The Durham Cathedral is magnificent. The photos are splendid. I loved the history and beautiful cathedral. Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip. Great job!
What a wonderful way to spend time with blogging friends. And your photos and commentary was very interesting. Great post!
Very interesting history- thanks for sharing. I would probably have to just stand still and soak all that beauty in!
I'm assuming you know your blog friends ahead of time and did not just run into them there. I enjoyed your story and the photos. They are great and I can almost feel like I am in this amazing cathedral. I wonder what it would be like to worship there weekly.
Such wonderful history, Judy! And your photos continue to be magnificent! Have a wonderful weekend!
I always learn something from your Anglophile Friday posts!! The Cathedral is beyond breathtaking. Looking forward to your next installment!
How amazing that that such an early version of the Gospel of St. John was found!
Thanks for sharing such beautiful photos, and the history of this magnificent Cathedral! So awesome!
Blessings,
Sue
Really amazing photos, Judy. I appreciate you sharing. Hope you enjoy the weekend.
Hi There, I love seeing the gorgeous cathedral --and reading the history.
How wonderful to find the gospel... WOW.... A treasure for sure!
Hugs,
Betsy
Truly amazing photos of the Cathedral. I imagine the service was inspiring.
How exciting! It is such a beautiful cathedral and seeing the first gospel must have been a thrill. Thanks for the lovely tour and bit of history.
How good to meet your cyber friends—they become very real from that point on. Thank you for your further explanations. They make sense and now even I can understand why they were taking Cuthbert's remains on a journey. Most unfortunate about the partial destruction of the statue.
Such an exquisite building...a work of art and spirit!
Alas I have only seen this from the station but plan on visiting some time this year. How great to meet two of my favourite bloggers too!! xx
I really enjoyed looking at your church photos. I am a particular fan of church architecture and just recently took a tour of several of the famous Czech painted churches here in Texas.
Amazing. Amazing what they use to construct and the art. I enjoyed your line of wisdom in there. xoxo
Beautiful Cathedral and fantastic story..Great pictures..thanks for sharing..Hope you are having a wonderful weekend..
You met Mike??? You're such a lucky lady!
What a gorgeous cathedral, makes you feel pretty small entering it I would imagine.
Enjoy your Sunday!
You've taken my breath away.
Thanks for the link, I've had a few people popping over.
I must say it was a relaxing afternoon wandering around the Cathedral with the all the members of the blog party including yourself. Unusual that my Camera had to stay firmly inside my bag although I did want to point out the relevant bits. Pleased I could negotiate a photography permit for Mr C.
It seems strange that you managed to visit the Cathedral before I could write a guest post although you have been waiting a long time. Maybe I need to apply for that Photography permit ... to prove I have been inside the building and not just last years photography from the Cloisters that I captured.
It was Durham Cathedral that first inspired me with Cathedral Architecture and subsequent buildings when I first entered it on a junior school trip.
So pleased you could fit it into your schedule.
Hi,
I just love the photos of the columns that Mr. C took. Just amazing. I love how you share the history.
That is so cool you had the opportunity to meet a blog buddy across the pond!
Carla
Judy, as always I love your outstanding photos and the history lesson!
Judy, as always I love your outstanding photos and the history lesson!
Oh dear, I'm waaaay behind with all of this. A great post, Judy. And it was a great day; a kind of bloggers internet date!
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