The Raven and The Viking Raid on Lindisfarne

the Raven Rests at Lindisfarne

Viking Raiders sack the monastery on the "Holy Island" Lindisfarne 

I teach art history, and often the material in my courses finds its way into my artwork. This is one of many of my prints that find root in ancient - medieval art and history.  Have I mentioned that I am a history nerd? 

On the eastern side of Northern Britain lies the "Holy Island of Lindisfarne". It has been attracting artists, archaeologists, historians, and pilgrims for centuries, and was exposed to the marauding attacks of the Vikings at the close of the 8th Century.

Ruins at Lindisfarne

This Viking raid on the Island of Lindisfarne, just off the Northumbrian coast, was not England’s first, but the attack on Lindisfarne was different because it assaulted the most sacred heart of the Northumbria, desecrating ‘the very place where the Christian religion began in our nation’. It was where St. Cuthbert had been bishop, and where his body was now revered as that of a saint. The precious Lindisfarne Bible was nearly destroyed during the raid, its cover was torn from it and it was, luckily, not burned during the raid. 

The Famous Lindisfarne Bible actually had its cover ripped off during the Viking raid

In fact, the attack on Lindisfarne in 793 AD, signaled the beginning of the Viking Age. A carved stone found on the island, known as the ‘Viking Raider Stone’ or ‘Doomsday Stone’, could represent the Viking attack on the monastery or Anglo-Saxon warriors defending Lindisfarne from attack.

Ruin of 12th century Abby

"Doomsday Stone" on Lindisfarne

In the center of the island lie the ruins of the ancient monastery, the ruins visible today date to the 12th Century.

Tudor Lindisfarne Castle ruinsOn the only hill on the island sits ruins of Lindisfarne Castle, built after the Medieval age during the Tudor period 

Vikings invaded 9th Century England

The Viking Raiders attacked in a small band. They were opportunists and knew the island was undefended and full of valuable items. The attack on Lindisfarne marked the beginning of an intensive Viking campaign of pillaging and plundering across swathes of the British Isles throughout the 8th – 9th centuries. Vikings used ravens to navigate. They brought ravens aboard their ships, then released them and sailed in the same direction to find land. The raven was so important to them that it became the symbol of their flag.

Viking Raven flag

When I plan my prints I usually assign a role to Raven. Will he be a trickster? Will he be helpful? Will he be playful? Will he be a troublemaker? In this story Raven is none of the usual characters, he is simply tired after a long flight and finds a place to rest. He rests on a Celtic Cross. I actually added something that would NEVER be found on the Christian Cross...two Pagan Viking Ravens...

Two Pagan Ravens detail

Raven Rests at Lindisfarne

My narration: 

In 793, a Viking raiding party headed for Lindisfarne. They carried with them two caged ravens. When they believed that land was near the ravens were freed. Ravens are intelligent and would return to the ship if no land was close. If the raven spotted land he flew straight for it. 

Normally, Raven would be blamed for man’s cruelties. But today Raven was just looking for a place to rest, he found the perfect spot atop a cross, little did he know he had led the Viking to a sacred monastery. Unknown to Raven he had led this band to Lindisfarne. The Vikings would continue to kill for the next 300 years. 

“In this year fierce, foreboding omens came over the land of North Umbria. There were excessive whirlwinds, lightning storms, and fiery dragons were seen flying in the sky. These signs were followed by great famine, and on January 8th the ravaging of heathen men destroyed God's church at Lindisfarne.”

From the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles

"A Raven Rests at Lindisfarne" Intaglio Etching, Black, Blue Black and brown ink, 5" x 7", 2011

This is one of my images that gets used without permission. A Scottish rock band FIREBRAND SUPER ROCK contacted me about using my artwork in their CD "Born for the Gallows", thank you for asking FIREBRAND SUPER ROCK.   https://wastedstaterecords.bandcamp.com/album/born-for-the-gallows