St. Cuthbert

Cuthbert, hermit, prior and then Bishop to the monastic community at Lindisfarne, became, upon his death in 687, one of the most important medieval saints. Several Lives were written about him, pilgrims came to Durham to benefit from the healing powers associated with him, and his feast days were celebrated throughout Europe. However, the rising cult of Thomas Becket after his assassination in 1170 threatened Cuthbert's popularity and the monastic community at Durham was forced to exert special efforts to revive his cult. This rejuvenation involved the production of new literary material to increase the popularity of Cuthbert and thus to enhance the political and economic status of the region.