Codex Eyckensis
Encyclopedia
The Codex Eyckensis is a manuscript
dating from the first half of the 8th century. It is called “Eyckensis” because it was preserved during centuries in the convent of Aldeneik
, near Maaseik
, Belgium. It is the oldest Gospel Book
of the Benelux
.
According to an old legend this codex
was written and illuminated by Saint Harlindis and Saint Relindis, sisters and foundresses of the convent of Aldeneik.
The manuscript contains the text of the four gospels in Latin
, preceded by canon tables. These tables are divided in a number of parallel columns, indicating the concordant passages in the Gospels. They are put in an architectural frame of pillars and arches. The medallions with portraits of the Apostles at the middle of the main arch are characteristic for the Codex Eyckensis
The front page shows an Evangelist portrait
, but it is uncertain which Evangelist is portrayed.
The script and the style of the illuminations show that the Codex Eyckensis belongs the body of insular script
s. These codices were brought to the Continent by Irish and English missionaries in the seventh and eight centuries. The Codex Eyckensis was probably written in the scriptorium
of the Abbey of Echternach
, founded by saint Willibrord
in the 7th century.
The Codex is now bound in two parts, because originally it consisted of two parts. The first part only contains five pages, consisting of the Evangelist portrait and canon tables. The second part consists of the complete canon tables and the Gospels.
Attempts to conserve the aging Codex in 1957, using a clear PVC
coating, were later found to be damaging the parchment.
In 1990, a team from Belgian Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage
, led by Jan Wouters, removed the yellowing PVC laminate.
The Codex is now on display in the St. Catherine church in Maaseik
, Belgium.
Manuscript
A manuscript or handwrite is written information that has been manually created by someone or some people, such as a hand-written letter, as opposed to being printed or reproduced some other way...
dating from the first half of the 8th century. It is called “Eyckensis” because it was preserved during centuries in the convent of Aldeneik
Aldeneik
Aldeneik, founded in 730, is a suburb of the Belgian town of Maaseik. It lies on the banks of the Meuse River, close to the border with the Netherlands, close to where the Bosbeek runs off it. According to legend it sprung up around a monastery set up by the Frankish sisters Herlindis and Relindis,...
, near Maaseik
Maaseik
Maaseik is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. The city is located on the river Meuse , bordering the Netherlands. The Maaseik municipality includes the town of Maaseik and the villages of Neeroeteren and Opoeteren...
, Belgium. It is the oldest Gospel Book
Gospel Book
The Gospel Book, Evangelion, or Book of the Gospels is a codex or bound volume containing one or more of the four Gospels of the Christian New Testament...
of the Benelux
Benelux
The Benelux is an economic union in Western Europe comprising three neighbouring countries, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. These countries are located in northwestern Europe between France and Germany...
.
Codex
A codex is a book in the format used for modern books, with multiple quires or gatherings typically bound together and given a cover.Developed by the Romans from wooden writing tablets, its gradual replacement...
was written and illuminated by Saint Harlindis and Saint Relindis, sisters and foundresses of the convent of Aldeneik.
The manuscript contains the text of the four gospels in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, preceded by canon tables. These tables are divided in a number of parallel columns, indicating the concordant passages in the Gospels. They are put in an architectural frame of pillars and arches. The medallions with portraits of the Apostles at the middle of the main arch are characteristic for the Codex Eyckensis
The front page shows an Evangelist portrait
Evangelist portrait
Evangelist portraits are a specific type of miniature included in ancient and mediæval illuminated manuscript Gospel Books, and later in Bibles and other books, as well as other media. Each Gospel of the Four Evangelists, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, may be prefaced by a portrait of...
, but it is uncertain which Evangelist is portrayed.
The script and the style of the illuminations show that the Codex Eyckensis belongs the body of insular script
Insular script
Insular script was a medieval script system originally used in Ireland, then Great Britain, that spread to continental Europe under the influence of Celtic Christianity. Irish missionaries also took the script to continental Europe, where they founded monasteries such as Bobbio. The scripts were...
s. These codices were brought to the Continent by Irish and English missionaries in the seventh and eight centuries. The Codex Eyckensis was probably written in the scriptorium
Scriptorium
Scriptorium, literally "a place for writing", is commonly used to refer to a room in medieval European monasteries devoted to the copying of manuscripts by monastic scribes...
of the Abbey of Echternach
Abbey of Echternach
The Abbey of Echternach is a Benedictine monastery in the town of Echternach, in eastern Luxembourg. The Abbey was founded by St Willibrord, the patron saint of Luxembourg, in the seventh century...
, founded by saint Willibrord
Willibrord
__notoc__Willibrord was a Northumbrian missionary saint, known as the "Apostle to the Frisians" in the modern Netherlands...
in the 7th century.
The Codex is now bound in two parts, because originally it consisted of two parts. The first part only contains five pages, consisting of the Evangelist portrait and canon tables. The second part consists of the complete canon tables and the Gospels.
Attempts to conserve the aging Codex in 1957, using a clear PVC
PVC
Polyvinyl chloride is a plastic.PVC may also refer to:*Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor*Peripheral venous catheter, a small, flexible tube placed into a peripheral vein in order to administer medication or fluids...
coating, were later found to be damaging the parchment.
In 1990, a team from Belgian Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage
Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage
The Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage is a Belgian federal institute of the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office . The institute studies and conserves the artistic and cultural assets of Belgium. Its mission consists in research and public service...
, led by Jan Wouters, removed the yellowing PVC laminate.
The Codex is now on display in the St. Catherine church in Maaseik
Maaseik
Maaseik is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. The city is located on the river Meuse , bordering the Netherlands. The Maaseik municipality includes the town of Maaseik and the villages of Neeroeteren and Opoeteren...
, Belgium.