Another church from the archives!
The highlight of a visit to Lincoln, UK, is the cathedral there. Standing on the top of the hill and easily dwarfing the nearby castle, this cathedral was built at the instruction of William the Conqueror in the late 11th century. Through various disasters and reconstructions over the centuries, the castle has grown in beauty and prominence. It is the owner of one of the four remaining copies of Magna Carta dating back to 1215, the year it was originally issued. The document is housed in the castle, but a small display in the cathedral shows a copy.
Unfortunately, since we went there on New Year's Day, the book shop was closed and there were no tours on Sundays to get all the good details from them. The first thing we saw on entering was a unique nativity scene.
The nave of the church is quite impressive, as in many of the cathedrals we have seen.
The 12th century baptismal font was quite ornate.
The choir screen wasn't as impressive as at Ripon or York, and we weren't allowed to pass it while services were going on.
We did see two models in the church. One was a small replica of the whole cathedral complex, the other was a replica of St. Hugh's tower soliciting donations for the restoration that was in progress (see the picture above for the scaffolding!).
I came back during nap time which was also between services. Thus I was able to see more of the cathedral. Two of the great treasures of this cathedral are the rose windows in the north and south transepts, the Dean's Eye and the Bishop's Eye, respectively.
One of the more illustrious bishops even has a statue under the Bishop's Eye.
I was able to go past the choir screen and into St. Hugh's Choir, one of the oldest parts of the cathedral and the place of the cathedra.
At the back of the church on the left side is Gilbert Pots (named after St. Gilbert of Sempringham), the area where candles are lit.
St. Hugh's shrine is also here, where the remains of the saint can be found. He was bishop at Lincoln Cathedral at the end of the 12th century. Not only did he care for the poor and defend the Jews, but also he stood up against three of the English Kings, viz. Henry II, Richard, and John. He also began the rebuilding of the cathedral after the 1185 earthquake.
Another famous part of the cathedral is the Lincoln Imp, who is carved at the top of a column and is devilishly hard to capture in a photo. My camera was not up to the task.
The cathedral also has a cloister which allows for some magnificent views of the outside.
I didn't notice the rose window in the chapter house (which is a large circular room that was quite chilly and has excellent acoustics), so I went back in to see the window.
After this visit to the church, I went on my tour of the Roman ruins of Lincoln.
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| Lincoln Cathedral |
The highlight of a visit to Lincoln, UK, is the cathedral there. Standing on the top of the hill and easily dwarfing the nearby castle, this cathedral was built at the instruction of William the Conqueror in the late 11th century. Through various disasters and reconstructions over the centuries, the castle has grown in beauty and prominence. It is the owner of one of the four remaining copies of Magna Carta dating back to 1215, the year it was originally issued. The document is housed in the castle, but a small display in the cathedral shows a copy.
Unfortunately, since we went there on New Year's Day, the book shop was closed and there were no tours on Sundays to get all the good details from them. The first thing we saw on entering was a unique nativity scene.
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| Front of the Nativity, showing some shepherds looking in a window at... |
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| Back of the Nativity, showing a tired holy family |
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| Detail of Mary and Jesus |
The nave of the church is quite impressive, as in many of the cathedrals we have seen.
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| Nave of church |
The 12th century baptismal font was quite ornate.
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| Top of the baptismal font |
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| Detail on the side of the font representing the battle of good and evil |
The choir screen wasn't as impressive as at Ripon or York, and we weren't allowed to pass it while services were going on.
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| A glorious organ, though! |
We did see two models in the church. One was a small replica of the whole cathedral complex, the other was a replica of St. Hugh's tower soliciting donations for the restoration that was in progress (see the picture above for the scaffolding!).
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| L liked this spot! |
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| Yes, that is St. Hugh on top, as he is outside on the real spire |
I came back during nap time which was also between services. Thus I was able to see more of the cathedral. Two of the great treasures of this cathedral are the rose windows in the north and south transepts, the Dean's Eye and the Bishop's Eye, respectively.
 |
| Dean's Eye |
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| Bishop's Eye |
One of the more illustrious bishops even has a statue under the Bishop's Eye.
 |
| Edward King |
I was able to go past the choir screen and into St. Hugh's Choir, one of the oldest parts of the cathedral and the place of the cathedra.
 |
| Main altar of the cathedral |
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| Bishop's seat or Cathedra |
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| Pulpit |
At the back of the church on the left side is Gilbert Pots (named after St. Gilbert of Sempringham), the area where candles are lit.
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| Glibert Pots |
St. Hugh's shrine is also here, where the remains of the saint can be found. He was bishop at Lincoln Cathedral at the end of the 12th century. Not only did he care for the poor and defend the Jews, but also he stood up against three of the English Kings, viz. Henry II, Richard, and John. He also began the rebuilding of the cathedral after the 1185 earthquake.
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| Tomb of St. Hugh |
Another famous part of the cathedral is the Lincoln Imp, who is carved at the top of a column and is devilishly hard to capture in a photo. My camera was not up to the task.
The cathedral also has a cloister which allows for some magnificent views of the outside.
 |
| That's the Bishop's Eye from the outside |
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| Cloister with Chapter House on the left |
I didn't notice the rose window in the chapter house (which is a large circular room that was quite chilly and has excellent acoustics), so I went back in to see the window.
 |
| Chapter House rose window |
After this visit to the church, I went on my tour of the Roman ruins of Lincoln.
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