Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Minster (Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln, St Mary's Cathedral situated in Lincolnshire, eastern England. Lincoln Cathedral is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Lincoln. Theuilding of Lincoln Cathedral started in 1072 and continued in several phases of the Gothic style throughout the medieval period.

Lincoln Cathedral was the tallest building in the world for 238 years (1311–1548), though the central spire collapsed in 1548 and was not rebuilt. Lincoln Cathedral is the fourth largest in the UK (in floor area) at around 5,000 square metres (54,000 sq ft), after Liverpool, St Paul's and York Minster.[5] It is highly regarded by architectural scholars liker John Ruskin and Nikolaus Pevsner.

 

Remigius built the first Lincoln Cathedral on the present site, finishing it in 1092. In 1124, the timber roofing of Lincoln Cathedral was destroyed in a fire. Alexander (bishop, 1123–48) rebuilt and expanded the cathedral, but much was destroyed by an earthquake about forty years later, in 1185. The damage to Lincoln Cathedral was very extensive.  Only the lower part of the west end and its two attached towers remain of the pre-earthquake current building.

After the earthquake, the new bishop of Lincoln Cathedral was Hugh de Burgundy of Avalon, France, who became known as St Hugh of Lincoln and began a massive rebuilding and expansion programme. Rebuilding began with the choir (St Hugh's Choir) and the eastern transepts between 1192 and 1210 and the central nave was then built in the Early English Gothic style followed other architectural advances of the time e.g. pointed arches, flying buttresses and ribbed vaulting were added to the cathedral, allowing larger windows.

 

There are thirteen bells in the south-west tower, two in the north-west tower, and five in the central tower, including Great Tom which accompanies the cathedral's large bell, Great Tom of Lincoln, a quarter-hour striking clock which was installed in the early 19th century. The two large stained glass rose windows, the matching Dean's Eye and Bishop's Eye, were added to the cathedral during the late medieval times. The Dean's Eye in the north transept dates from the 1192 rebuild begun by St Hugh, finally being completed in 1235. The Bishop's Eye, in the south transept was reconstructed a hundred years later in 1330.

After the additions of the Dean's eye and other major Gothic additions it is considered that errors in the support of the tower occurred, because in 1237 the main tower collapsed. A new tower was soon started and in 1255 the Cathedral petitioned Henry III to allow them to take down part of the town wall to enlarge and expand the Cathedral, including the rebuilding of the central tower and spire. They replaced the small rounded chapels (built at the time of St Hugh) with a larger east end to the cathedral to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims to the Cathedral, who came to worship at the shrine of Hugh of Lincoln.

 

Between 1307 and 1311 the central tower was raised to its present height of 271 feet (83 m). The two western towers (south and north towers) and west front of the cathedral were improved and raised in height. At this time, a tall lead-encased wooden spire topped the central tower but this was blown down in a storm in 1548. With its spire, the tower reputedly reached a height of 525 feet (160 m) making it the world's tallest structure. Other additions to the cathedral at this time included its elaborate carved screen and the 14th-century misericords in St Hugh's Choir.

 

Hugh of Wells, Bishop of Lincoln, was one of the signatories to Magna Carta and Lincoln Cathedral held one of the four remaining copies of the original, but it is now securely displayed in Lincoln Castle.

In August 1255 the body of an eight-year-old boy was found in a well in Lincoln and had been missing for nearly a month. This incident became the source of a blood libel in the city, with Jews accused of his abduction, torture, and murder. Many Jews were wrongly arrested and eighteen were hanged. The boy became named as Little Saint Hugh to distinguish him from Saint Hugh of Lincoln, but he was never officially canonised. Despite the story being completely false and unjust, the cathedral benefited from these events because Hugh was seen as a martyr, and many devotees came to the city and cathedral to venerate him. Geoffrey Chaucer mentions the case in "The Prioress's Tale" and a ballad was written about it in 1783. In 1955 a plaque was put up near "the remains of the shrine of 'Little St Hugh'" in the cathedral, that decries the "Trumped up stories of 'ritual murders' of Christian boys by Jewish communities."

Lincoln Cathedral features two major rose windows, on the north side of the cathedral there is the “Dean's Eye” which survives from the original structure of the building and on the south side there is the “Bishop's Eye” which was most likely rebuilt around 1325–1350. This south window is one of the largest examples of curvilinear tracery (continuous curves) seen in medieval architecture. The glazing of these window is very difficult because of the complex shape.

 

Lincolnshire was home to many Bomber Command airfields during the Second World War and nicknamed 'Bomber County'. The RAF station badge nearby Waddington depicts Lincoln Cathedral rising through the clouds. Until the opening of the RAF Bomber Command Memorial in 2012, Lincoln Cathedral had the only memorial in the United Kingdom dedicated to Bomber Command's large losses of aircrew [in the Second World War.

Lincoln Cathedral is one of the few English cathedrals built from the rock it is standing on and owns the existing quarry, on Riseholme Road from which the cathedral's stonemasons use more than 100 tonnes of stone per year for maintenance and repairs.

The North Transept of Lincoln Cathedral

The architecture of North Transept Rose Window known as the Dean's Eye.

Lincoln Cathedral features two major rose windows, on the north side of the cathedral there is the “Dean's Eye” which survives from the original structure of the building and on the south side there is the “Bishop's Eye” which was most likely rebuilt around 1325–1350. This south window is one of the largest examples of curvilinear tracery (continuous curves) seen in medieval architecture. The glazing of these window is very difficult because of the complex shape.
 

stained glass panels beneath the Rose Window

 

The 'Airmen's Chapel' in the north transept of Lincoln Cathedral

 

Stained glass windows in the 'Airmen's Chapel', Lincoln Cathedral

 

The 'Seamen's Chapel' in the north transept of Lincoln Cathedral

 

Above and below: The 'Soldier's Chapel' in the north transept of Lincoln Cathedral.

 

The South Transept of Lincoln Cathedral

The South East Transept of Lincoln Cathedral

 

 

 

 

Above and below: The mural paintings in the chapel in the south east, off the south east aisle of the Angel Choir, of Lincoln Cathedral.

Evensong in the Choir of Lincoln Cathedral in St Hugh's Choir

The Chapter House of Lincoln Cathedral is a decagonal building with a single, central column that twenty ribs rise from. The chapter house vaults are spectacular and each separate area of Lincoln can be identified solely by the different vaults of the space. Each vault is original displaying the innovative thinking and great creativity of the medieval stone masons.

	The Treasury

 

Above and below: Looking up into the central tower at the Crossing

 

Some of the carvings near the south-east corner entrance to the south aisle of the Angel Choir of Lincoln Cathedral

One of the details is lovely carving of a pair of owls.

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A history of Lincoln Cathedral

Lincoln Cathedral is one of the most important buildings in European medieval architecture — a masterpiece of Norman, Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular Gothic, a centre of pilgrimage, learning, and civic identity, and for more than two centuries the tallest building in the world. What follows is a deep, structured, evidence‑based guide to its history, architecture, notable people, and social significance, synthesising the most authoritative sources available.

Lincoln Cathedral was founded by Bishop Remigius in 1072, consecrated in 1092, devastated by an earthquake in 1185, and rebuilt under St Hugh into one of the greatest Gothic cathedrals in Europe. Its central tower and spire reached 160 m (525 ft) in 1311, making it the tallest building in the world until the spire blew down in the 1540s. It remains a centre of worship, music, scholarship, and civic identity, and houses one of the four surviving Magna Carta originals.

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1. Historical development

1.1 Norman foundation (1072–1185)

• William the Conqueror ordered Bishop Remigius de Fécamp to move the bishopric from Dorchester‑on‑Thames to Lincoln in 1072.

• Remigius built the first cathedral in Lincolnshire oolitic limestone, consecrated 11 May 1092.

• A fire around 1124 and later rebuilding under Bishop Alexander (1123–1148) enlarged the Norman structure.

Catastrophe of 1185

• A major earthquake in 1185 shattered the cathedral; only parts of the west front survive.

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1.2 Early English Gothic rebuilding (1186–1250)

• St Hugh of Lincoln, appointed 1186, began a radical rebuilding in the new Early English Gothic style.

• His work includes the choir, transepts, and the earliest large‑scale use of pointed arches and rib vaulting in England.

• Hugh died in 1200; King John helped carry his coffin, and his shrine became a major pilgrimage site.

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1.3 The Angel Choir and Decorated Gothic (1256–1300)

• The Angel Choir (completed 1280) is one of the finest examples of Decorated Gothic sculpture in Europe.

• It contains the famous Lincoln Imp, a mischievous stone figure turned to stone by an angel, now the cathedral’s emblem.

• Queen Eleanor of Castile’s entrails were buried here in 1290.

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1.4 The world’s tallest building (1311–1548)

• The central tower was rebuilt to 83 m (272 ft) in 1310.

• A wooden spire added in 1311 brought the height to 160 m (525 ft) — making Lincoln Cathedral the tallest building in the world until the spire blew down in a storm in the 1540s.

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1.5 Later history (16th century–present)

• Continuous repairs followed fires, storms, and structural issues.

• The great bell “Great Tom of Lincoln” was installed in 1833.

• The Wren Library (17th century) houses rare manuscripts, including a 10th‑century text.

• A new statue of the Virgin Mary was added in 2014.

• The cathedral appears in films such as The Da Vinci Code (2006) and The Young Victoria (2009).

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2. Architectural significance

2.1 Overall style

Lincoln Cathedral is a palimpsest of medieval architecture:

• Norman: West front, heavy rounded arches.

• Early English Gothic: Choir, transepts, St Hugh’s work.

• Decorated Gothic: Angel Choir, elaborate tracery, sculpture.

• Perpendicular Gothic: Later medieval additions.

2.2 Key architectural features

• Length: 147 m (482 ft)

• Nave height: 24 m (78 ft)

• Three towers (central + two west towers)

• Flying buttresses, rib vaults, and vast rose windows

• 13 bells hung for change ringing

2.3 The Angel Choir

• Celebrated for its angel carvings and the Lincoln Imp.

• Consecrated in 1280 in the presence of Edward I and Queen Eleanor.

2.4 Materials and conservation

• Built largely of Lincolnshire oolitic limestone, vulnerable to weathering.

• The cathedral maintains a permanent team of 25 skilled craftsmen for stone, glass, timber, and leadwork conservation.

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3. Notable people associated with the cathedral

3.1 Bishop Remigius de Fécamp (founder)

• First Norman Bishop of Lincoln; built the original cathedral (1072–1092).

3.2 St Hugh of Lincoln

• Rebuilder after the 1185 earthquake.

• One of medieval England’s most revered bishops.

• His shrine attracted pilgrims from across Europe.

3.3 King John

• Carried St Hugh’s coffin in 1200.

• His reign links the cathedral to the Magna Carta, one copy of which is held in Lincoln.

3.4 Queen Eleanor of Castile

• Her entrails were buried in the Angel Choir in 1290.

3.5 John Ruskin

• Victorian critic who declared Lincoln “the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles.”

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4. Social, cultural, and civic significance

4.1 A symbol of medieval power and identity

• The cathedral stands on a hill dominating the city for 30 miles around.

• Its position opposite Lincoln Castle symbolised the balance of royal and ecclesiastical authority.

4.2 Pilgrimage centre

• Shrine of St Hugh drew medieval pilgrims.

• The legend of Little St Hugh (a medieval blood‑libel myth) reflects darker aspects of medieval society.

4.3 Magna Carta

• Lincoln Cathedral owns one of the four surviving 1215 Magna Carta originals (displayed in Lincoln Castle).

4.4 Music and worship

• The cathedral maintains a major choral tradition stretching back nearly a millennium.

• Its organ and choir are central to English sacred music heritage.

4.5 Learning and manuscripts

• The Wren Library holds medieval manuscripts, early printed books, and unique documents.

4.6 Tourism and film

• A major driver of Lincoln’s cultural economy.

• Featured in international films, enhancing its global profile.

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5. Why Lincoln Cathedral matters today

Lincoln Cathedral remains:

• A living place of worship

• A centre of heritage conservation

• A symbol of regional identity

• A major tourist and educational destination

• One of the most architecturally important buildings in Britain

Its layered history — Norman conquest, Gothic innovation, medieval pilgrimage, Reformation survival, Victorian admiration, and modern conservation — makes it a uniquely rich monument in the English landscape.

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Here is a full visitor’s route guide to Lincoln Cathedral, written in the same structured, narrative, heritage‑focused style you prefer for your railway and landscape guides.
It takes you step‑by‑step through the building, explaining what you see, why it matters, and how each space fits into the cathedral’s 1,000‑year story.

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⭐ Lincoln Cathedral — A Complete Visitor’s Route Guide

Route: West Front → Nave → North Transept → South Transept → Choir → Angel Choir → Shrine of St Hugh (site) → Retrochoir → Cloisters → Chapter House → Wren Library → Exterior Close

This guide assumes entry through the West Front, the traditional ceremonial entrance.

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1. The West Front — Norman Power and Medieval Grandeur

What you see:

• Massive Norman arcading (late 11th–12th century)

• Three great doorways

• Layers of rebuilding after the 1185 earthquake

• The Judgement Porch and surviving Romanesque sculpture

Why it matters:
This is the oldest major surviving part of the cathedral.
It shows the transition from Norman to Gothic, with heavy round arches below and later pointed Gothic windows above.

Visitor’s experience:
Stand back in the close: the façade rises like a cliff of pale limestone, with the two west towers framing the whole composition.
This is your first sense of Lincoln’s vertical ambition.

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2. Entering the Nave — Light, Height, and the “Crazy Vaults”

What you see:

• A vast Early English Gothic nave (13th century)

• Alternating round and octagonal pillars

• The famous “crazy vaults” — experimental rib patterns unique to Lincoln

• The great west window flooding the space with light

Why it matters:
Lincoln’s nave is one of the earliest and boldest expressions of English Gothic engineering.
The vaulting is deliberately playful and asymmetrical — a hallmark of the Lincoln masons.

Visitor’s experience:
Walk slowly up the nave.
The space feels restless, alive, full of movement — unlike the calm symmetry of Salisbury or the massive solidity of Durham.

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3. The North Transept — The Dean’s Eye

What you see:

• The Dean’s Eye rose window (c. 1220)

• Early Gothic lancets

• A sense of height and openness

Why it matters:
The Dean’s Eye is one of the oldest surviving rose windows in England.
Its medieval glass depicts themes of order, creation, and divine harmony.

Visitor’s experience:
Stand beneath the rose and look up: the stone tracery is delicate, almost lace‑like, contrasting with the muscular Norman piers below.

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4. The South Transept — The Bishop’s Eye

What you see:

• The Bishop’s Eye rose window (c. 1330)

• Rich Decorated Gothic tracery

• Warmer, more intimate atmosphere

Why it matters:
This window is the counterpart to the Dean’s Eye.
Where the north window symbolises order, the south window symbolises judgement, change, and the Holy Spirit.

Visitor’s experience:
The Bishop’s Eye glows with warm colours in afternoon light — a perfect moment for photography or quiet contemplation.

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5. The Choir (St Hugh’s Choir) — Early English Purity

What you see:

• Tall, slender clustered columns

• Pointed arches with minimal ornament

• Choir stalls with medieval misericords

• The organ loft above

Why it matters:
This is St Hugh’s masterpiece (1186–1200), the earliest large‑scale Gothic interior in England.
It set the pattern for Gothic architecture across the country.

Visitor’s experience:
Walk slowly along the choir stalls.
Look for the carved misericords — tiny medieval scenes of animals, musicians, and moral lessons.

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6. The Angel Choir — One of Europe’s Greatest Gothic Spaces

What you see:

• Dozens of carved angels in the arcading

• The famous Lincoln Imp

• Exquisite Decorated Gothic tracery

• A sense of lightness and grace

Why it matters:
Built to house the shrine of St Hugh, the Angel Choir (1256–1280) is considered one of the finest Gothic interiors in Europe.

Visitor’s experience:
Stand in the centre and look east.
The space feels weightless, almost musical — a deliberate contrast to the more austere choir behind you.

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7. Site of the Shrine of St Hugh

What you see:

• A simple stone marker

• Surrounding arcades where pilgrims once gathered

Why it matters:
St Hugh’s shrine was one of the major pilgrimage destinations of medieval England.
Kings visited; miracles were recorded; offerings funded the Angel Choir.

Visitor’s experience:
Pause here.
This is the spiritual heart of the medieval cathedral.

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8. Retrochoir and Eastern Chapels

What you see:

• Quiet, reflective spaces

• Memorials and medieval tombs

• Subtle changes in stone colour and style

Why it matters:
These chapels show the cathedral’s continuous evolution, with additions from the 13th to 15th centuries.

Visitor’s experience:
This is the most peaceful part of the building — ideal for reflection.

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9. Cloisters — Monastic Life Revealed

What you see:

• A square cloister garth

• Arcaded walks

• Views into the Chapter House

Why it matters:
Although Lincoln was a secular cathedral (not monastic), the cloisters served the clergy for study, processions, and administration.

Visitor’s experience:
Walk the full circuit.
The changing light on the limestone is beautiful in late afternoon.

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10. Chapter House — A Masterpiece of Early Gothic

What you see:

• A polygonal chapter house (13th century)

• A central pillar supporting the vault

• Tall lancet windows

Why it matters:
This is one of the earliest and finest chapter houses in England.
It hosted meetings of the cathedral clergy — and occasionally Parliament in the medieval period.

Visitor’s experience:
Stand at the centre and look up: the vaulting radiates like a stone umbrella.

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11. The Wren Library

What you see:

• A serene 17th‑century library

• Rare manuscripts and early printed books

• A calm, scholarly atmosphere

Why it matters:
Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, it houses treasures including:

• A 10th‑century manuscript

• Medieval theological works

• Early scientific texts

Visitor’s experience:
This is a highlight for anyone interested in medieval learning or book history.

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12. The Cathedral Close — The Best Exterior Views

What you see:

• The soaring central tower

• The west front from the lawn

• The Minster Yard and medieval houses

Why it matters:
The close preserves the cathedral’s historic setting, giving some of the best views in English architecture.

Visitor’s experience:
Walk the perimeter path.
The changing angles reveal how the cathedral grew over centuries.

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See also 13. The City of Lincoln - High Street, The Strait and Steep Hill - history and buildings

15. Roman Lincoln, The Collection Museum and the Usher Art Gallery

16. Lincoln - other buildings and sights

17. Lincoln Castle and Victorian Gaol