This is Cuthbert’s Gospel, the book that was buried at Lindisarne with St Cuthbert sometime after his death in 687. It is the earliest bound British–or even European–book to survive intact. It’s tiny, a pocket Gospel, written in Latin on vellum. It’s simple–no illumination, just elaborated initial letters, some with a bit of red–and beautiful.
Hild, who died just seven years before Cuthbert, might well have had a book like this. Sadly, I doubt hers would have been as fine. Her foundation at Whitby would have had a much more pioneering feel to it. The monks of Monkwearmouth/Jarrow, who are believed to have made Cuthbert’s Gospel, were a slightly later generation religious, more practiced scribes and book artisans.
But the text itself, the Gospel of John, would have been familiar.
Ever since I saw this image of the prologue, I’ve imagined Hild reading and rereading those first three lines:
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and Word was God…
This is the essence of Hild: the ability to name that which others either don’t recognise or are afraid to articulate. Language is her weapon of choice. Naming is her superpower–or one of them. John would have been her Gospel of choice.
The book is now owned by the British Library which has agreed to a co-custody arrangement with Durham University and Durham Cathedral. I hope to see it one day soon.
Nicola Griffith 
I have to confess, I'm at a loss. I have read you for years with admiration and even envy at your writing skills. I am lost at why you are writing about a 7th century nun, even though I can see it would be a writing challenge. I guess I, as an avid reader, would rather see you pursue other themes, but such is life. What influenced you to focus on this theme, which you had touched on as early as The Blue Place?? I am curious. LGM
See Origins of Hild Part II.
If you like it, go read Part I.
When we first meet Hild, she isn't a nun–far from it. Think sex, and knives, and politics, and forest. It's the best book I've ever written. If you like Aud, I can pretty much guarantee you'll like Hild.
Exquisite. I've seen this book at the British Library. What a gallery there! Thanks for making the connection to Hild. I've copied down “essence of Hild” in my journal for today's reminder about naming.
God is first in the Old Testament. The Word is first in the New Testament, as it has always been with me. What a beautiful small book.
Sorry, its me again . I've never written before, sorry I hadnt read the previous post. However, isnt this all made up, you actually arent writing biographically, correct? So this isnt really the story of Hilda?? Perhaps this is annoying, but I am wondering . LGM
That prologue has been part of my worldview since high school. It has made me very careful how I name things.
On a totally different subject, apropos “Explosions are cathartic”, see
this link
It's a novel, so it's mostly made up, yes. But I don't contravene what is known to be known. That is, it could have happened exactly as I describe.
Oh, what a cool blog. Thank you.