The kingdom of Northumbria was created in north-eastern Britain by the invading Angles in the 5th century. The political consolidation of the region north of the River Humber took place over several centuries and stretched as far north as the Firth of Forth and Edinburgh. In the 7th century, Christianity came to Northumbria from the Celtic Church on Iona and also from the Latin Church in Canterbury via York. Northumbria became a renowned centre of culture and learning illustrated by the beautiful Lindisfarne Gospels and the historical writings of the Venerable Bede and Alcuin of York.