Echternach Gospels

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lion as a symbol of Mark

The Echternach Gospels is an illuminated manuscript from around 690/710 from Ireland or England . It was in the Echternach Abbey in what is now Luxembourg until 1802 and is now in the possession of the National Library of France in Paris (call number MS Latina 9389).

The manuscript consists of 223 sheets of calf parchment in the format 33.5 cm × 26.0 cm. It is incomplete. The manuscript contains the four Gospels with short summaries and explanations, in front of them a letter from Jerome to Damasus and the canon tables of Jerome. The handwriting is written in minuscule and semi-uncials . It contains representations of the symbols of the Evangelists in front of the respective texts. The design shows Irish, Scottish and Italian influences. It was probably made in Ireland around 690/710, possibly in Rathmelsigi Abbey or in Lindisfarne in Northumbria. It was written by the same scribe as a Durham gospel book. It had been in Echternach Abbey since the 8th century, probably coming there from Willibrord , the founder of the monastery. In 1806 it came to the National Library in Paris.

Web links

Commons : Echternach Gospels  - Collection of images, videos and audio files