The Lindisfarne trilogy concludes here on a high note.
After the Viking raid on Lindisfarne monastery, the surviving monks soon resumed their religious business as usual. There are numerous archaeological relics dated to the time period. The most well-known is the Lindisfarne stone. The partly destroyed stone is actually a tombstone which portrays the Viking raiders. The monks of Lindisfarne continued their ministry for 80 more years before ongoing Viking raids finally forced them to abandon the location. The Viking/Dane invasion is quite complicated (all of history is more complicated than we think), but eventually the Northumbrian kingdom collapsed under the relentless attacks. The monks relocated to the southwest, bringing Cuthbert’s body with them.
Fast forward 200 years to William the Conqueror. William regained political and military control of Northumbria and quickly appointed William of St. Calais as bishop of the area. Yes, two guys named William can be confusing, but it’s England. The new Bishop appropriated lands in the Durham area, including the island of Lindisfarne. Eventually, Lindisfarne castle and priory were rebuilt and business as usual resumed. Except for one tiny thing. A larger priory had been established at the city of Durham, and the powers that be decided St. Cuthbert’s body would remain there instead of being returned to Lindisfarne. Why would they do this? To draw pilgrims to Durham instead of Lindisfarne! The Bishop of Durham was worried Lindisfarne would again become the most important religious location in England. I think Heinlein had it right when he said, “Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity.”
Lindisfarne priory continued for another four centuries. Then came Henry the 8th, who broke away from the authority of the church in Rome. Those darn kings and emperors, always interfering in the realm of religion! In any case, Lindisfarne monastery was shut down. Shut down, but not completely shut down. People kept coming on pilgrimage to the site. Even as the buildings fell into ruin over the centuries, people kept visiting. Today, at Easter time, there’s an event called the Northern Cross pilgrimage where people make a week long journey to Lindisfarne. There’s now a cenotaph (empty tomb) where St. Cuthbert was originally buried. There’s a museum. And I suspect there’s a souvenir shop!
One last thing to note. The back side of the Lindisfarne Stone is a counterpoint to the Viking raiders portrayed on the front.
The other side of the stone shows people worshipping at the cross of Christ. Some scholars say this is a scene of the last days, the apocalypse referred to in Revelation. I can see that from the sun and the moon portrayed, and from the idea that every knee shall bow. I prefer to think of it as a counterpoint to the front side. Despite the evils of the world (Viking raiders), Jesus remains in power over the world. It may be as hard for us to believe that today as it was for the Northumbrian Christians to believe it when the Vikings devastated Lindisfarne and occupied their country. But we must believe it.