When was the monastery of Lindisfarne founded and by whom?
The monastery of Lindisfarne was founded around 634 by the Irish monk Aidan. He had been sent from Iona off the west coast of Scotland to Northumbria at the request of King Oswald.
Questions about Lindisfarne
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What happened during the Viking raid on Lindisfarne in 793?
A Viking raid on Lindisfarne occurred on the 6th ides of January 793 which caused consternation throughout the Christian west. Many monks were killed or captured and enslaved during this attack that is often taken as the beginning of the Viking Age.
Why did the name Holy Island become associated with Lindisfarne?
The name Holy Island was in use by the 11th century when it appears in Latin as Sancta Insula. This reference was to Saints Aidan and Cuthbert who established the monastic settlement there.
When was the final dissolution of the Benedictine monastery on Lindisfarne?
The island's restored but slightly smaller Benedictine monastery continued in relative peace until its final dissolution in 1536 as a result of Henry VIII's dissolution of the English church's ties to Rome.
How do visitors cross to the isle of Lindisfarne at low tide?
At low tide it is possible to walk across the sands following an ancient route known as the Pilgrims' Way. This route is marked with posts and has refuge boxes for stranded walkers just as the road has a refuge box for those who have left their crossing too late.