The Making of the Lindisfarne Gospels
Our high quality Lindisfarne Gospels workshop is based upon the very successful English Heritage event The Making of the Lindisfarne Gospels. The Lindisfarne Gospels workshop is suitable for KS2 pupils studying Anglo-Saxons or Vikings in primary schools, and pupils wanting a new aspect to their art studies at KS3 and KS4 in secondary schools. It is also suitable for museums, historical events or festivals, and can be easily modified to fit in to any medieval context.
Brother Mellitus at the Making of the Lindisfarne Gospels English Heritage Event in 2013
The first part of the workshop is all about the script used in the Gospels and how to make the ink. Your pupils will be able to make iron gall ink, exactly as Bishop Eadfrith did in the early 8th century, then use a feather quill to write in half uncial script.
“Dear Terry,
Thank you so much for your visit to Seascale Year 5. Your workshop as Brother Mellitus was a fantastic learning experience for all of our class. In the words of one girl, it was “a history, a science and a literacy lesson all in one!”
The second part is all about the pigments used to make the wonderful illuminations and artwork in the Gospels. Your pupils will find out which pigments were used and where they came from, then grind their own pigments to make paint, using non-toxic tempura paint blocks, and design their own illuminated name. This section can also be extended to look at further aspects of the Gospels, such as knotwork and the carpet pages.
Both parts of the Lindisfarne Gospels workshop start with a short presentation leading in to the various activities. The tables will need to be covered as, especially when grinding the pigments, things can get a bit messy, and the ink can stain the worktop. Up to 30 participants can be accommodated at one time in the classroom.
Although the workshop is based around The Lindisfarne Gospels it can be tailored to which ever time you want within the medieval period, when these techniques were used. The workshop can also be tailored to last between 30 – 60 minutes as a lecture/demonstration or short activity, depending upon your requirements. It can take place in a classroom or other indoor venue, or as part of an outdoor event. The Lindisfarne Gospels workshop is also recommended as a STEM activity, as it details the use of Chemistry in relation to inks and pigments.