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| Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth |
I have to admit, very little has penetrated my bubble this week. I am a few weeks away from finishing a book, and as most authors will testify, the closer one gets to a deadline, the further the outside world recedes from view. Only the endless schadenfreude (not sure that covers the delicious relish of seeing the Murdoch Empire burn - the Germans need to come up with a new one) of the phone hacking saga has seized my interest. It truly is the scandal that keeps on giving.
But one other story did catch my attention. The news that the British Library was seeking £9m to buy a book written in the 7th century. I'd never heard of this book but the story behind it is a fabulous one.
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| Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth |
The St Cuthbert Gospels also known as The Stonyhurst Gospel, is a leather bound copy of the gospels and Europe's oldest book. It was found in the coffin of St Cuthbert, after being buried with him on the island of Lindisfarne in 698. When the Vikings invaded, the monks fled, taking with them the body of their saint and the objects he owned. Eventually his coffin was buried in Durham Cathedral. In 1104 the coffin was opened and the book found. It still bears the original leather cover, immaculately preserved. It was kept at the cathedral among other treasures, until Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries when it fell into the hands of collectors and finally the English Jesuit College in 1769.
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| Durham Cathedral |
The British Library has had the book on loan since 1979 but now wants to save it for the nation, displaying it for half a year in London, and the other half at Durham Cathedral. The National Heritage Memorial Fund is putting up £4.5m to buy it from the Jesuit order, while various other grants account for another £2.75m. Which only leaves another £2.75m to secure the book.
Hidden books in coffins, long sought after, with a soupçon of medieval intrigue. It sounds right up Dan Brown's street. Come on Brownie, get your hand in your pocket.
Cheers
Dan - Friday
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