About this objectGuthlac (674–714) was born into an noble family in the middle of England and, as a young man, became a warrior. Aged 24, he decided instead to devote himself to Christianity and become a monk. He took tonsure under Ælfthryth, then Abbess of Repton (a double monastery). In 701 he left to become a hermit in Crowland in the East Anglian Fens. Here he was ordained as a priest by Haedda, Bishop of Lichfield, and gathered a few disciples, including his sister, Pega.
About 740, Ælfwald, King of the East Angles (d.749), commissioned Felix to write Guthlac's life. A scroll illustrated with roundels depicting episodes from his life was then commissioned by Crowland Abbey in c. 1210. The episode here shows Guthlac being taken to Crowland by the fisherman, Tatwin, in his boat.
Date Made13th c.
Place MadeEngland
Subject and Association KeywordsShips
Subject and Association KeywordsPilgrimage
Subject and Association DescriptionLearn More: Felix’s Life of Saint Guthlac; Freeman 2014;
