This is a page from a famous Saxon illuminated manuscript called the 'Lindisfarne Gospels'. It was written at Lindisfarne Priory in Northumbria in around AD 715, although it took about 15 years to make! It took 130 of the best calves' skins to make the vellum pages. The patterns painted on this page are very detailed and it may have taken several weeks to paint. The interlaced ribbon patterns were used by both the Saxons and the Celts. The four circular patterns are Celtic in style. Lindisfarne is in England but the priory and cathedral was founded by Irish Celtic monks. This is combination of styles of art is called 'Hiberno-Saxon' (Irish-English). The artist is thought to have been Bishop Edfrith. The 'Lindisfarne Gospels' are kept in the British Library in London.

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