The Arts Society Salisbury Study Morning
- Visitors £7
- 18 Nov 25
- St Francis Church, Beatrice Road
- 10:30
When England had scarcely begun - Sutton Hoo and the Lindisfarne Gospels
Mark Cottle
Tuesday 18 November 2025
10.30am - 1pm
The study morning includes two one-hour lectures with tea/coffee and cake in the interval. This is a great opportunity to learn more about these wonderful 7th century treasures from an expert and in the company of a friendly group of people.
The fee is £25 for members of the Arts Society Salisbury. Non members and members of other Arts Societies are very welcome at £30. If a non member joins The Arts Society Salisbury on the day they will receive a £5 refund.
Lecture 1 will concentrate on Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, where a great ship was dragged ashore from the river Deben in the 7th century. The ship was the burial place of a powerful Anglo-Saxon warlord buried with a mound of treasures from all over the known world. Fine weaponry, gold coins and exquisitely crafted metalwork reflected levels of sophistication which were a revelation. We will examine the finds in turn not just to appreciate them in their own right but also to explore what insights they offer about their world. As well as the treasures themselves we will talk about the famous 1939 discovery and excavation. We will also briefly cover the later excavations and discoveries.
Lecture 2 will briefly discuss the Staffordshire hoard and summarise the conversion to Christianity. We will then focus on the Golden Age of Northumbria with particular reference to the Lindisfarne Gospels. The amazing work of smiths in the early part of the 7th century gives way to the wonderful work of scribes and calligraphers. These beautiful gospels were created on the island of Lindisfarne by monks from the monastery and they are now housed in the British Library. We will learn a lot more more about this beautiful illuminated manuscript, its creation and history.
This detailed and thought provoking study day may encourage you to visit\/revisit these wonderful places.