One of Europe’s finest Gothic buildings, once described by Victorian writer John Ruskin as “out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles and roughly speaking worth any two other cathedrals we have”, Lincoln Cathedral is not to be missed.
With the Norman invasion of Britain in the 11th century, William the Conqueror commissioned Remigius de Fécamp, the first Bishop of Lincoln, to build Lincoln Cathedral. Foundations were laid in 1072, and on May 9th, 1092, it was consecrated, two days after the death of Bishop Remigius.
At the time of its consecration, Lincoln Cathedral was the head of the largest diocese in England – extending from the Humber to the Thames.
After fires and earthquakes had demanded the rebuilding of some of the cathedral, it took on a Gothic style of architecture. When the central spire was eventually raised in 1311, it became the tallest building globally: taking the mantle from the Great Pyramid of Giza. This lasted until 1549, when the spire collapsed in a storm.
Despite its size, the cathedral is filled with intricate detail. In Lincoln Cathedral, the Gothic style architects perhaps reached the pinnacle of their art; it is an absolute must-see for anyone visiting Lincoln.
There is something for everyone to see at Lincoln Cathedral and children love seeking out the funny carvings – particularly the famous Lincoln Imp! A memorial statue of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, can be found on the East Green on Lincoln Cathedral, bearing the words of his poem Flower in the Crannied Wall.
Hidden above the Lincoln Cathedral cloisters are the Medieval Library and Wren Libraries, a 15th-century collection of books in “the most beautiful room in England”. And the Airmen’s Chapel of St Michael sits within Lincoln Cathedral and houses three Books of Remembrance. Containing the names of 25,611 men who flew from Lincoln RAF bases in the Second World War and never returned.
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