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Classroom view. Claims are tagged attested, traditional, or disputed. Copyrighted full texts are not included.

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scriptorium

Iona scriptorium

563–806

attested. The scriptorium and the Schaffhausen Adomnán are attested. The Cathach's attribution to Columba and the Book of Kells's Iona origin are traditional or disputed.

Iona scriptorium
Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain Public domainSource page

Columba's monastery on Iona led a network of houses in Ireland, Scotland and Northumbria and was a major centre of book production. Viking raids from 795 led the community to move to Kells from 807.

Place: Iona · On the map

People

  • Columba (founder, 563)
  • Adomnán (abbot, Life of Columba)
  • Dorbbéne (scribe of the Schaffhausen Adomnán)

Manuscripts made here

  • Adomnán's Life of Columba, copied by Dorbbéne (before 713)

    Kept now: Schaffhausen, Stadtbibliothek, Gen. 1

  • Cathach of St Columba (psalter traditionally copied by Columba)

    Kept now: Dublin, Royal Irish Academy

  • Book of Kells (possibly begun on Iona, finished at Kells)

    Kept now: Dublin, Trinity College Library, MS 58

Sources

Coordinates are modern locations for ancient places. A gold circle is a region, not a surveyed gate.

DeChurched Atlas — Early Christianity as history, from every source