St Peter's, Monkwearmouth
After the day’s studies come to an end at Sunderland University’s St Peter’s Campus, many of the students make their way to the pick-up point for the shuttle-bus that connects with the main campus on Chester Road. The bus-shelters at the pick-up point stand opposite a small floodlit church from which the campus takes its name.
As the students wait for the shuttle-bus to arrive, I wonder how many might be aware of the historical significance of the little floodlit church across the road? It may come as something of a surprise to learn that the church’s west tower and the wall to which it is attached, has been a local landmark for almost 1350 years.
Founded in AD674, the church was once part of an important monastic settlement. This is where a local youngster by the name of Bede, was brought by his parents to be educated. His name would later be prefixed by 'Venerable' and he would be referred to as the 'Father of English history' after writing his 'Ecclesiastical History of the English People'.
Yet, even more amazing, is to think that just over 1300 years ago (4 June AD716 to be precise) a group of monks, left the monastic settlement located at this very spot at Monkwearmouth, on the north banks of the River Wear, setting off on a long and tortuous journey to Rome.
Leading the group was Abbot Ceolfrith. whose mission was to take an enormous hand-crafted book and present it to Pope Gregory II.
The book would later become known as the 'Codex Amiatinus' and somewhat incredibly, in has survived. It is the earliest surviving complete manuscript of the Latin Vulgate version of the Christian Bible.
It's sobering to think that as Abbot Ceolfrith made his way down to the river, he would no doubt have looked back at the monastic settlement for one last time and have cast his eyes upon this same Saxon tower.
The group then crossed the River Wear by boat, before setting off on horseback with their precious gift.
Eventually, Ceolfrith and accompanying monks would leave our shores, sailing by boat from the Humber, reaching 'the lands of Gaul' on 12 August.
Sadly, Ceolfrith never reached Rome... he died at Langres in Burgundy en route. However, the remaining monks continued the journey.
It’s hard to comprehend the amount of dedication that was put into creating this huge manuscript. You can get some idea on how substantial the Codex Amiatinus is when you realise is was written onto 1030 leaves, made from at least 515 skins!
If you're from Wearside and happen to be visiting London, you might want to consider a trip to The British Library.
That's where, until 19 February 2019, that’s where the Codex Amiatinus temporarily resides, back on our shores for the very first time in more than 1300 years!
St Peter's, Monkwearmouth
After the day’s studies come to an end at Sunderland University’s St Peter’s Campus, many of the students make their way to the pick-up point for the shuttle-bus that connects with the main campus on Chester Road. The bus-shelters at the pick-up point stand opposite a small floodlit church from which the campus takes its name.
As the students wait for the shuttle-bus to arrive, I wonder how many might be aware of the historical significance of the little floodlit church across the road? It may come as something of a surprise to learn that the church’s west tower and the wall to which it is attached, has been a local landmark for almost 1350 years.
Founded in AD674, the church was once part of an important monastic settlement. This is where a local youngster by the name of Bede, was brought by his parents to be educated. His name would later be prefixed by 'Venerable' and he would be referred to as the 'Father of English history' after writing his 'Ecclesiastical History of the English People'.
Yet, even more amazing, is to think that just over 1300 years ago (4 June AD716 to be precise) a group of monks, left the monastic settlement located at this very spot at Monkwearmouth, on the north banks of the River Wear, setting off on a long and tortuous journey to Rome.
Leading the group was Abbot Ceolfrith. whose mission was to take an enormous hand-crafted book and present it to Pope Gregory II.
The book would later become known as the 'Codex Amiatinus' and somewhat incredibly, in has survived. It is the earliest surviving complete manuscript of the Latin Vulgate version of the Christian Bible.
It's sobering to think that as Abbot Ceolfrith made his way down to the river, he would no doubt have looked back at the monastic settlement for one last time and have cast his eyes upon this same Saxon tower.
The group then crossed the River Wear by boat, before setting off on horseback with their precious gift.
Eventually, Ceolfrith and accompanying monks would leave our shores, sailing by boat from the Humber, reaching 'the lands of Gaul' on 12 August.
Sadly, Ceolfrith never reached Rome... he died at Langres in Burgundy en route. However, the remaining monks continued the journey.
It’s hard to comprehend the amount of dedication that was put into creating this huge manuscript. You can get some idea on how substantial the Codex Amiatinus is when you realise is was written onto 1030 leaves, made from at least 515 skins!
If you're from Wearside and happen to be visiting London, you might want to consider a trip to The British Library.
That's where, until 19 February 2019, that’s where the Codex Amiatinus temporarily resides, back on our shores for the very first time in more than 1300 years!