Final answer:
The Lindisfarne Gospels, including the St. Matthew cross-carpet page, are illuminated manuscripts created by medieval monks in the 8th century. The Gospels are a prime example of Insular or Hiberno-Saxon art, showcasing intricate illustrations and embellishments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Lindisfarne Gospels, specifically the St. Matthew cross-carpet page, is an illuminated manuscript. This means that it is a handwritten book that has been decorated with intricate illustrations and embellishments. The Gospels were created by medieval monks in the 8th century in Lindisfarne, which is an island off the coast of Northumberland in England. The book is a prime example of Insular or Hiberno-Saxon art, which emerged in the British Isles between 500-900 CE.