Editing Cuthbert (section)

===Hermit's life===
[[File:Cuthbert and Ælfflaed at Coquet Island.jpg|left|thumb|Cuthbert meets [[Ælfflæd of Whitby]] on Coquet Island, [[Bede]]'s Life of Cuthbert, 12th century]]
Cuthbert retired in 676, moved by the desire for a more contemplative life. With his abbot's leave, he moved to a spot which Archbishop Eyre identifies with [[Lindisfarne#St Cuthbert's Isle (Hobthrush)|St Cuthbert's Island]] near Lindisfarne, but which Raine{{sfn|Raine|1828|p=ii}} thinks was near [[Holburn]], at a place now known as [[St Cuthbert's Cave]]. Shortly afterwards, Cuthbert moved to [[Inner Farne]] island, two miles from [[Bamburgh]], where he gave himself up to a life of great austerity.{{sfn|Burton|1908}} At first he received visitors, but later he confined himself to his cell and opened his window only to give his blessing. He could not refuse an interview with the holy abbess and royal virgin [[Ælfflæd of Whitby|Elfleda]], the daughter of [[Oswiu of Northumbria]], who succeeded [[Hilda of Whitby|St Hilda]] as abbess of Whitby in 680. The meeting was held on [[Coquet Island, England|Coquet Island]], further south.{{sfn|Butler|1833|p=371}}