A Beautiful Facsimile
of the
Stonyhurst Gospel
The St Cuthbert Gospel, also known as the Stonyhurst Gospel or the St Cuthbert
Gospel of St John, is an early 7th-century pocket gospel book, written in
Latin. Its finely decorated leather binding is the earliest known Western
bookbinding to survive, and both the 94 vellum folios and the binding are in
outstanding condition for a book of this age. With a page size of only 138 by
92 millimetres (5.4 in × 3.6 in) the St Cuthbert Gospel is one of the smallest
surviving Anglo-Saxon manuscripts. The essentially undecorated text is the
Gospel of John in Latin, written in a script that has been regarded as a model
of elegant simplicity.
The book takes its name from Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, North East
England, in whose tomb it was placed, probably a few years after his death in
687.
Although it was long regarded as Cuthbert's personal copy of the Gospel, to
which there are early references, and so a relic of the saint, the book is now
thought to date from shortly after Cuthbert's death. It was probably a gift
from Monkwearmouth-Jarrow Abbey, where it was written, intended to be placed in
St Cuthbert's coffin when his remains were placed behind the altar at
Lindisfarne in 698, or in the next few decades. It presumably remained in the
coffin through its long travels after 875, forced by Viking invasions, ending
at Durham Cathedral.
The book was found inside the coffin and removed in 1104 when the burial was
once again moved within the cathedral. It was kept there with other relics, and
important visitors were able to wear the book in a leather bag around their
necks. It is thought that after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in England
by Henry VIII between 1536 and 1541, the book passed to collectors. It was
eventually given to Stonyhurst College, the Jesuit school in Lancashire, and
was subsequently sold in 2012 to the British Library for the sum of £9,000,000
where the book now resides.
Facsimile details:
Folio Size 138mm by 92 mm (5.4 in × 3.6 in)
Book size 145mm by 104mm
Beautiful Goatskin Leather-Bound
11.5 Signatures (Sewn)
Premium Vellum Laid Paper
Birch end-boards
Slip Case/Box
Please allow 1 week for delivery as these books are all hand made to order.
please note, the goatskin Leather is a natural product and colour variation
may occur.
Recent feedback:
Outstanding craftsmanship even better than the photos Absolutely delighted"
Real treasure, Rare. Beautiful Heirloom. Great purchase from a great seller"
Superb craftsmanship, excellent value, a real treasure!"
Item arrived in perfect condition as described and beautifully packaged"
Beautiful Book”
Fantastic item, beautifully presented, Delighted”
I'm very, very pleased with the gospel, a beautiful thing. Thank you.
Thank you for a beautiful book!”
Limited offer, buyer will also receive a free copy of the much accredited-
The St Cuthbert Gospel: Studies on the Insular Manuscript of the Gospel of
John" Hardcover written by Claire Breay and Bernard Meehan, this is a must to
actually have the St Cuthbert Gospel and also study it alongside. Hurry only
one more copy left !!