"Illuminated manuscripts of Arthurian legends were among the most popular and the most profusely illustrated vernacular texts of the Middle Ages. They survive today in enormous numbers..."

Illuminated texts were called so because of gold inlays on the pages that made the pictures seem glow. An immensely long and difficult process, illumination of manuscripts required extensive pre-planning because the gold leaf had to be laid before the page was inked. However, the resulting spectacular artwork far outweighs the costs, and because these pages are so spectacular, many of them have been well-cared for over the ages, so many survive.

The illuminated manuscripts of Lindisfarne represent the height of illuminated texts. Made in a monastery by monks who wanted only to contemplate and celebrate the beauty of God's word, the books remained safe behind church walls for centuries.

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