Lincoln's Majestic Cathedral & Castle A GUIDE TO LINCOLNSHIRE’S MOST FAMOUS LANDMARKS

Lincoln Castle and the Cathedral are two of the most famous landmarks and visitor attractions in the UK and is visited by people from across the country as well as overseas tourists. Lincoln Castle is home to one of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta and a Victorian prison.

Lincoln was a significant Roman town formally known as Lindum, which served as a fortress for the 9th Legion. Lincoln Castle, a home to kings and convicts, was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror. After William the Conqueror’s victory in the Battle of Hastings, he built many castles across the kingdom to ensure his control and status over the people.

Previously, Roman invaders had built a fortress on the hilltop where Lincoln Castle stands. The Normans constructed their motte and bailey castle using wooden palisade, reusing the remaining stone walls from the Roman fortress. In the late 11th century, the castle walls were rebuilt in stone.

During the late 12th Century, King

Henry II visited many times, and archaeologists found animal bones that are believed to have been from the countless banquets held in his honour. King John spent several days in September 1216, two weeks before he died of dysentery at Newark Castle. In 1541, King Henry VIII and Queen Catherine Howard visited the castle as part of his ‘royal progress’ to York.

The Magna Carta is the Great Charter of English political liberties granted by King John in 1215. It declared that the sovereign is to be subject to the rule of law and documented and protected the liberties held by the “free man.”

The great stone walk is one of the most dramatic features of the castle. It provides breathtaking views of Lincoln and Lincoln Cathedral. Lincoln Castle’s Victorian prison was designed for an isolating regime to keep prisoners apart and prevent further corruption. It was believed that this would encourage reflection and reformation. Between 1848 and 1878, seven murderers were hung, and their bodies were buried in the Lucy Tower, which can still be seen today. This prison has been used as a filming location for Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife.

Another fantastic building to visit in the area is the Lincoln Cathedral. Works on Lincoln Cathedral began in 1072, it was consecrated in 1092. Between then and now it has been subject to fires, earthquakes, storms and civil wars that have all damaged areas of the Cathedral. Over time these damages were repaired or partially replaced.

The Exhibition Gallery is home to a range of artefacts from the history of the cathedral; each object tells a story. The centrepiece of the gallery is the Romanesque frieze, a panel that runs across the west front of the cathedral. It is estimated to have been carved between 1120-1160; it depicts scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The panels at the cathedral are the longest and most intact narrative frieze in Western Europe.

Inside Lincoln Cathedral is the petrified Lincoln Imp; Legend has it that two Imps headed to Lincoln to wreak havoc in the city’s cathedral. The Imps caused mayhem inside of the cathedral, smashing windows and destroying lights. In a final act of defiance, the Imps hid under a table and threw rocks at the Angel. In a moment of anger, the angel turned the imp to stone. The imp has remained in the same spot ever since as a reminder of how good will always triumph over evil.

Lincoln Castle and Cathedral brings in many tourists to the area from around the country with its fantastic events they both hold events, Lincoln Castle is hosting six live music events throughout June, including; Crowded House (15th), Jess Glynne (16th), Paloma Faith (22nd), Kaiser Chiefs (28th) and Madness (29th). The Cathedral offers guided tours and tours of the 3,000 Graffiti marks left across the premiss. This boosts the local economy and supports local businesses.