The Lindisfarne Gospels manuscript is on loan from the British Library where it is normally displayed alongside some of the nation s most important cultural and literary treasures. In this millennium year, The British Library has worked closely with the Laing Art Gallery, and both hope that as many people as possible will be able to see it. During the exhibition five different openings of the manuscript will be on show to demonstrate the superb illumination and decoration of the Gospels, beginning with St Jerome s letter to Pope Damasus followed by the openings of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The exhibition will also include Turning the Pages, the British Library s unique touch screen facility which allows users to turn the pages of an electronic version of the Lindisfarne Gospels giving an opportunity to see the manuscript in greater detail than would normally be possible. Opening hours are Monday Saturday 10am 5pm, Sunday 2 5pm.
Admission is free.
The 8th century Lindisfarne Gospels is one of Britain s most famous and beautiful treasures. It is a masterpiece of book production and a historic and artistic document of the first rank. The manuscript was given to the nation in 1702 with the other manuscripts from the collection of the Elizabethan antiquary Sir Robert Cotton. It passed into the care of the British Museum on its foundation in 1753. This means that the Venerable Bede, author of the first English history book, is now thought likely to have been involved in producing the masterpiece.