St. Cuthbert
Overview
St. Cuthbert was an important figure in the history of Christianity in England. He was a monk, bishop, and saint who lived during the 7th and 8th centuries. His life and cult reflect the tensions and challenges of his time, as well as the enduring power of Christian faith and devotion.
Early Life
St. Cuthbert was born in Northumbria in the early 7th century. He was raised by his parents in a devout Christian household and was educated by the monks at Melrose Abbey. At the age of 17, he joined the monastery of Old Melrose and became a monk. He was known for his piety and devotion and quickly rose to prominence within the monastic community.
In the 670s, St. Cuthbert was appointed prior of Lindisfarne, one of the most important monasteries in Northumbria. He was known for his pastoral care of the monks and his commitment to the spiritual and physical well-being of his community. In the 680s, he was ordained a priest and continued to serve as prior of Lindisfarne until 685, when he withdrew to live as a hermit on the nearby island of Inner Farne.
Life as a Hermit
St. Cuthbert’s life as a hermit is one of the most well-known aspects of his story. After serving as prior of the monastery of Lindisfarne and later as bishop of Hexham, he retired to a life of solitude on Inner Farne Island, off the coast of Northumberland. There, he lived in a simple hut, dedicating himself to prayer, meditation, and manual labor.
A miniature in the British Library Yates Thomson MS 26, Bede’s Prose Life of St Cuthbert, depicting the miracle where an eagle delivers a fish to Cuthbert on the river Teviot
Despite his reclusive lifestyle, St. Cuthbert was not entirely isolated from the world. He would receive occasional visitors, who sought his counsel or asked for his intercession. He was also known for his love of animals, who would often gather around him and follow him in his daily tasks. According to legend, he even tamed a sea monster that had been terrorizing the local fishermen.
St. Cuthbert’s hermitage on Inner Farne became a site of pilgrimage, and his reputation for holiness and miraculous powers grew. He was said to have the ability to heal the sick and perform other wonders, such as calming storms and multiplying food. Many of these miracles were attributed to his intercession or the power of relics associated with him, such as his staff and his robe.
One of the most famous miracles associated with St. Cuthbert occurred after his death. According to legend, when his body was exhumed seven years after his death, it was found to be incorrupt, meaning that it had not decayed. This was seen as a sign of his sanctity, and his remains were moved to a new shrine in the cathedral of Durham. Over the centuries, his shrine became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in England, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
St. Cuthbert’s miracles and his reputation for holiness helped to establish his cult as one of the most important in medieval England. His story became the subject of numerous hagiographical texts, which documented his life and teachings, as well as the miracles associated with him. These texts helped to spread his fame throughout the country and beyond, and his cult continued to thrive long after his death.
Cult of St. Cuthbert
The cult of St. Cuthbert began soon after his death in 687. His body was interred at Lindisfarne, and his tomb soon became a site of pilgrimage and veneration. According to legend, his tomb was discovered to be empty in 698, and it was believed that his body had been miraculously translated to another location to protect it from Viking raids. His relics were subsequently moved to various locations, including Chester-le-Street and Durham, and his cult continued to flourish throughout the Middle Ages.
The cult of St. Cuthbert was characterized by its devotion to the saint’s life and teachings. He was revered as a model of holiness and piety, and his relics were believed to have healing powers and the ability to protect against evil. His shrine at Durham Cathedral became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in medieval England, and his popularity extended throughout Europe.
Image: Stained-glass windows at York Minster (St Cuthbert window)
Stained-glass windows at York Minster (St Cuthbert window)
Legacy
St. Cuthbert had a significant influence on Anglo-Saxon England during his lifetime and after his death. As a bishop, he helped to spread Christianity throughout the region, and his reputation for holiness and wisdom made him a respected figure among both clergy and laity. After he retired to a life of solitude on Inner Farne, his reputation grew even further, as he became known for his miracles, his love of animals, and his commitment to a life of prayer and contemplation.
St. Cuthbert’s shrine at Durham Cathedral became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in medieval England, attracting thousands of visitors each year. His cult also played an important role in the development of English identity and nationalism, as he was seen as a patron saint of the region and a symbol of its unique history and culture.
In addition to his religious and cultural influence, St. Cuthbert also had a significant impact on the arts and literature of Anglo-Saxon England. Many works of poetry and prose were written about his life and miracles, including the hagiographical texts that helped to spread his fame. His story also inspired the creation of beautiful works of art, such as illuminated manuscripts, sculptures, and reliquaries.
Overall, St. Cuthbert’s influence on Anglo-Saxon England was multifaceted and far-reaching. He was not only a powerful religious figure but also a symbol of regional pride and a source of inspiration for artists and writers. Today, his legacy continues to inspire and captivate people around the world, as they seek to learn from his example of faith, devotion, and compassion.
Related Topics
Further Research & References
Bede. The Life of Saint Cuthbert. In Bede: The Ecclesiastical History of the English People; The Greater Chronicle; Bede’s Letter to Egbert, edited by Judith McClure and Roger Collins, 301-362. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1994.
“The Durham Liber Vitae.” Durham Cathedral Library Manuscript A.IV.19, 9th century. https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/durham-liber-vitae
The Lindisfarne Gospels. British Library Cotton MS Nero D.IV. https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/lindisfarne-gospels
The St. Cuthbert Gospel. British Library Add MS 89000. https://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=add_ms_89000
Jolly, Karen Louise. “The Making of Christian Myths in the Periphery: Cuthbert, Bede, and Hagiography.” In the Company of Angels: Saints and Their Lives in the Middle Ages, edited by Joanne Maguire Robinson, 19-45. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1989.
Brown, Michelle P. The Lindisfarne Gospels: Society, Spirituality and the Scribe. University of Toronto Press, 2003.
Higham, N. J. The Convert Kings: Power and Religious Affiliation in Early Anglo-Saxon England. Manchester University Press, 1997.
Keynes, Simon. “Cuthbert [St Cuthbert] (c. 635–687), bishop of Lindisfarne.” Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2004.
Thacker, Alan. “The Cult of Saints in Anglo-Saxon England.” In The Cambridge Companion to Old English Literature, edited by Malcolm Godden and Michael Lapidge, 179-196. Cambridge University Press, 1991.
Photos:
St. Cuthbert Window:
Charc2018, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.
Lindisfarne Priory:
August Schwerdfeger, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.