St Cuthbert

Saint Cuthbert (c. 634 – 20 March 687) was a saint of the early Northumbrian church in the Celtic tradition. He was a monk, bishop and hermit, associated with the monasteries of Melrose and Lindisfarne in the Northeast of England. After his death he became one of the most important medieval saints of Northern England, his tomb is at Durham Cathedral. Cuthbert is regarded as the patron saint of northern England and his feast day is 20 March.

He grew up near Melrose Abbey Roxburghshire, which is described as a daughter-house of Lindisfarne. He had decided to become a monk after seeing a vision on the night in 651 that St. Aidan, the founder of Lindisfarne, died. He was quickly made guest-master at the new monastery at Ripon, soon after 655, but had to return with Eata to Melrose when Wilfrid was given the monastery instead. About 662 he was made prior at Melrose, and around 665 went as prior to Lindisfarne. In 684 he was made bishop of Lindisfarne but by late 686 resigned and returned to his hermitage, believing he was about to die.