The Book of Cerne is a ninth century Anglo-Saxon prayer book. It was apparently made between 820 and 840 for Bishop Æthelwold of Lichfield (818-30). It is the only surviving illuminated manuscript that can be firmly attributed to the kingdom of Mercia.

A book of private prayers and devotions, including Gospel Passion extracts, hymns and prayers (Roman and Celtic), an abridged Psalter and an apocryphal Harrowing of Hell. Shown here is the opening of the passage from St Luke, facing the evangelist who appears in a roundel above his symbol, the Ox.

An acrostic poem on the preceding page spells out the name Aedelwald epicopus, who has been identified with Bishop Aethelwald of Lichfield (818-30) as patron of the book, although other, earlier Aethelwalds have been suggested. The book is now bound with later material relating to Cerne Abbas in Dorset, hence the name, although there is no evidence that the early book was ever there.

The collection shows Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, Carolingian, Roman, and Byzantine influences.

Book of Cerne Illustrations

Illustration 1

	Page (Folio): n/a Portrait of the Evangelist Mark appears in a roundel above his symbol, the Lion