Jesuits sell historic 7th-century St. Cuthbert Gospel for $14.7 million

(August 04, 2011) The Jesuits have sold the historic St. Cuthbert Gospel, believed the oldest intact book produced in Europe, to the British Library for $14.7 million. The British Province of the Society of Jesus agreed to sell the late 7th-century Anglo-Saxon manuscript to raise funds to restore a historic church and pay for educational work in London and Glasgow, Scotland. The book, a pocket-size Latin translation of the Gospel of St. John, was found inside the coffin of St. Cuthbert, bishop of Lindisfarne, when the saint's grave was opened in 1104. Experts believe the manuscript was placed inside the casket within 10 years of the hermit's death in 687. Jesuit Father Kevin Fox, spokesman for the British Province of the Society of Jesus, announced the sale of the Gospel in a statement in July. "It has been our privilege to possess this book for nearly 250 years," he said. "Now, in order to answer more of the many demands on our resources, the province trustees have decided to sell." He said that the British Library would ensure that the manuscript was available for people from around the world to view either directly or online. "People will be able to see the Gospel set among the library's other treasures of the Christian faith and of Anglo-Saxon and Celtic art," Father Fox said. The statement said that the Gospel was, produced by monks of Wearmouth-Jarrow in northeast England.