There are many books on the Christian history of the North East, particularly on such Northumbrian saints as Aidan, Cuthbert and Bede. There are many others on the region's culture and renowned natural scenery. What has been missing is a book that interprets the Christian heritage in a holistic way by 'reading' the churches, monasteries, Christian sites - together with the artefacts they inspired - in the light of both the regional history of Christianity and the landscapes that it shaped. This book, in celebration of Northumbria's Christian Golden Age and the Christian world that followed it, reveals the full canvas to its readership. The book draws on the diverse expertise of scholars from both within the North East and beyond. It is richly illustrated, including much new photography, to supplement the treasures of the regional archives. Above all, it pays tribute not only to the region's heritage and beauty, but to the indispensible contribution the Christian presence and imagination has made in the fashioning of its culture, and of its history.