scriptorium
Wearmouth-Jarrow
674–870
attested. Attested by Bede and the surviving manuscripts.
Benedict Biscop's twin monastery gathered books from Rome and Gaul. Under Ceolfrith its scriptorium made three giant one-volume Bibles; one, the Codex Amiatinus, was carried towards Rome in 716 and survives in Florence. Bede wrote all his works here.
Place: Parish Church of St Paul, Jarrow · On the map
People
- Benedict Biscop (founded Wearmouth 674, Jarrow 681/682)
- Ceolfrith (abbot)
- Bede (monk, d. 735)
Manuscripts made here
Codex Amiatinus (before 716; oldest complete Latin Vulgate Bible)
Kept now: Florence, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, Amiatino 1
St Cuthbert Gospel (early 8th c.; oldest intact European book)
Kept now: London, British Library, Add MS 89000
Bede's Ecclesiastical History
Kept now: early copies: St Petersburg Bede (National Library of Russia, Lat. Q.v.I.18); Moore Bede (Cambridge University Library, Kk.5.16)