The Arts In Berwick -- Religion
Making a Drama out of a Synod

The Celtic and Roman Churches disagreed fundamentally on when to celebrate Easter. The Northumberland Royal family were equally at odds with King Oswiu (r.642-670), following Celtic practice, celebrating Easter a week earlier than his Queen Eanfled who followed the Roman Church.

For many years two Easters a year were the norm in the court, but when the Celtic supporter Colman became Bishop of Lindisfarne, Oswiu decided to settle the issue and summoned the contending parties to the Synod of Whitby in 664.

The Celts were forced to concede, and St Cuthbert was instrumental in calming tempers at the Priory. The dispute features in the play "Lindisfarne: The Sword's Edge" by Chris Speyer, given its world premiere at the Maltings in Berwick at Easter 1997.

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