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

Ever wondered how close England came to being part of France? ⁣
It almost happened right here at Lincoln Castle. In 1217, while the rest of the country was in chaos, this fortress was the only thing standing between the English crown and a French takeover. Prince Louis of France had already taken most of the southeast, but a fierce woman named Nicola de la Haye refused to give up the castle. At over 60 years old, she held the walls against a massive siege until the legendary knight William Marshal arrived to save the day. ⁣
If these walls had crumbled, the history books would look very different—we’d likely be speaking French today!⁣
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Aside from saving the nation, this is one of the only places where you can see the Magna Carta and the Charter of the Forest side by side. Walking these battlements feels like stepping straight into a medieval epic. ⁣

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.