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All the United Kingdom England Holy Island of Lindisfarne Lindisfarne, the Holy Island
AO Edited

Lindisfarne, the Holy Island

This tidal island, a sacred site in early English Christianity, was the target of a notable Viking invasion.

Holy Island of Lindisfarne, England

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Colin White
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Lindisfarne, the Holy Island   Airwolfhound / CC BY 2.0
Lindisfarne, the Holy Island   Airwolfhound / CC BY 2.0
Lindisfarne Castle   Airwolfhound / CC BY 2.0
Lindisfarne Priory   Tom Page / CC BY-SA 2.0
Lindisfarne Priory   Matthew Hartley / CC BY-SA 2.0
Lindisfarne Priory and graves   Richard Whitaker / CC BY 2.0
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
  DeeJaB / Atlas Obscura User
Lindisfarne Castle.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Lindisfarne Castle.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
St. Aidan   Springer / Atlas Obscura User
War Memorial - Lindisfarne Castle background   Springer / Atlas Obscura User
Lindisfarne Priory   Springer / Atlas Obscura User
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About

It's June 8, 793. You are a Benedictine monk of austerity, spending your days in and out of prayer. One morning you wake as usual on the island of Lindisfarne, overlooking the North Sea. The air is calm, weather fair. Suddenly, from out in the distance, you begin to hear the faint sound of a horn. Squinting to see what is causing the commotion, you see an incoming boat. Aboard the boat are Norse, better known as Vikings or Northmen.

Surrounding monks begin to notice and soon the church bells are ringing persistently. The Viking longboat makes harsh contact, the strakes scraping the sandy shore. Four dozen heathens sprint onto the priory grounds, adorned with facepaint and colorful garb. They ransack and raid, with axes swinging and blood spewing. The church burns above you. You've been cornered while protecting the treasures of St. Cuthbert, praying to God they are merciful. The invaders adorn you in chains and lead you back to their boat, along with the treasures you sought to protect with your life. Your narrative is re-written; no longer a monk, but rather a slave.

Lindisfarne Priory is believed to be the first notable Viking raid location in all of England (there were prior, but these weren't monastic). Due to northern raiding concerns, it sat abandoned from 875-1082. It was once again repopulated by the mid to late 12th century. It continues to be a significant early English Christian holy site.

It can be visited during safe crossing times as the causeway may be covered by high tides.

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Ruins Islands Celtic History & Culture Monasteries Vikings

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cmwhite

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rbenn250, Springer, Gavin, linkogecko...

  • rbenn250
  • Springer
  • Gavin
  • linkogecko
  • Michelle Cassidy
  • DeeJaB

Published

March 1, 2023

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  • https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/lindisfarne-priory/
Lindisfarne, the Holy Island
Church Ln
Holy Island of Lindisfarne, England, TD15 2RX
United Kingdom
55.668989, -1.800959
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Nearby Places

Holy Island Boat Sheds

Holy Island of Lindisfarne, England

miles away

Pilgrims Way to Holy Island

Holy Island of Lindisfarne, England

miles away

St. Nicholas Church House

Northumberland, England

miles away

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Photo of Holy Island of Lindisfarne

Holy Island of Lindisfarne

England

Places 3

Nearby Places

Holy Island Boat Sheds

Holy Island of Lindisfarne, England

miles away

Pilgrims Way to Holy Island

Holy Island of Lindisfarne, England

miles away

St. Nicholas Church House

Northumberland, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Holy Island of Lindisfarne

Holy Island of Lindisfarne

England

Places 3

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