Looking at the evidence 1. Is this image from the Book of Kells (Source C on the opposite page) a primary or a secondary source? Give reasons for your answer.
2. What does the image show? 3. How can you tell that the design has been influenced by the Celts? 4. What information about Early Christian Ireland can be learnt from this image? 5. On what type of material was this picture and writing painted? 6. (a) Can you read the words on the right of the page? (b) In what language do you think it is written?
In pairs or small groups, discuss the following questions: 7. What is your opinion of the work done by the monks on the Book of Kells? 8. What do you think thiswork can tell historians about the life of a monk at this time?
4. Stone masonry was also important. The monks carved very detailed crosses known as High Crosses. The population could not read or write so the masons carved scenes from the Bible onto the crosses. These images helped monks to explain the story of Jesus through pictures. Two of the most beautiful High Crosses are at Clonmacnoise, County Offaly and Monasterboice, County Louth.
HISTORICAL EMPATHY Write about the life of a monk or a nun in Early Christian Ireland. Use the following headings as a guide: • The reasons why they wanted to become a monk/nun
• The work they did in the monastery • The buildings in the monastery • The activities of the other monks or nuns
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Fig 3.20 The High Cross at Monasterboice, County Louth.