LINCOLN

 The County Town of Lincolnshire (naturally). The Cathedral Quarter sits at the top of a steep hill - in fact one of the roads leading to it is called 'Steep Hill' - and comprises the Cathedral itself, the Castle, and streets of quaint shops and quirky tearooms. I walked up Steep Hill - won't be doing that again in a hurry! 

England's first Norman bishop, Remigius, built Lincoln cathedral, and it was his wish that the great church should be near to heaven. Which is why it stands on such a steep hill, 200ft. above the city. 

The most common approach to Lincoln Cathedral is through the old Exchequergate on Castle Hill 

The walls and keep, known as Lucy's Tower, built by William I in 1068, still stand, incorporated into the later castle.

Not all castles were the domain of knights in armour and warlike doings. Within the walls of Lincoln Castle are a Georgian building that hosted the magistrate's court, and a Georgian/Victorian prison building. Part of the prison building is open to the public.

The most curious part is the prison chapel, which has survived intact, as it lent itself to the storage of goods.

The prison practiced the Separate System, where the inmates were kept apart at all times. The chapel is divided into wooden cubicles, one per prisoner, where they were locked in, unable to see or converse with the other inmates, and only able to see forward to the person preaching.

Until 1859, the castle was also the scene of executions by hanging, and there is also a dungeon, where prisoners were chained to iron rings along the walls

Lincoln Cathedral was once the tallest building in the world - before the central spire fell down in 1548!

spot the notorious Lincoln Imp

So many accidents befell Lincoln Cathedral whilst it was being built, that it was thought the Devil himself had sent one of his Imps to cause chaos and destruction in the cathedral.
Legend has it that during the building of the Angel Choir, the Lincoln Imp, sitting on top of pillar, started throwing stones and rocks at an Angel who had been sent to stop him causing more mayhem. In a moment of anger, she turned him into stone where he sat, and there you will find him to this day.
He sits cross-legged, complete with devil’s horns, on top of the pillar overlooking the Angel Choir – a constant reminder of how good will always triumph over evil!

(below) the Great East window, with its 1855 stained glass.

Two large rose windows can be found at either end of the transepts, known as the Bishop’s Eye and the Dean’s Eye.