Written around the year 800 AD,
the Book of Kells contains a richly decorated copy of the four gospels
in a latin text based on the Vulgate edition (completed by St Jerome in 384 AD).
The gospels are preceded by prefaces, summaries of the gospel narratives
and concordances of gospel passages
compiled in the fourth century by Eusebius of Caesarea.
In all, there are 340 folios (680 pages).

The script is embellished by the elaboration of key words and phrases
and by an endlessly inventive range of decorated initials and interlinear drawings.