| | by admin | | posted on 19th March 2025 in Lincolnshire's Sacred Places | | views 269 | |
Lincoln Cathedral, one of England's grandest Gothic buildings, sits on a hilltop looking down over the city and was the tallest building in the world for over 200 years.
The cathedral's origins date back to 1072, when Bishop Remigius of Fécamp, the catherdal's first bishop, founded the first church on the site after the Norman Conquest (1066). This early structure was modest compared to what we see today.
This is due to a significant rebuild and enlargement of the cathedral after a major earthquake in 1185 severly damaged the cathedral from top to bottom.
The rebuilding started the following year in 1186 under the auspices of the man who became known as St. Hugh of Lincoln. When he died in 1200, he was buried in his cathedral with King John helping to carry the coffin, and his shrine attracted throngs of pilgrims.
The cathedral’s most notable feature, its central spire, was added around 1300 and stood as the tallest man-made structure in the world at the time, reaching an astounding 525 feet (160 meters). Unfortunately, this spire collapsed in a storm in 1549, and the present spire is much shorter, standing at around 271 feet (83 meters).
Over the centuries, Lincoln Cathedral has been a center of religious and political influence. It hosted coronation ceremonies, major royal events, and was the site of the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215. The cathedral's wealth grew through the centuries, and it became a hub for education, art, and pilgrimage.
During the English Civil War in the 17th century, the cathedral suffered damage from Parliamentarian forces, including the destruction of its stained glass. However, despite these challenges, the cathedral endured and underwent several restoration projects in the 19th and 20th centuries to preserve its grandeur.
Today, Lincoln Cathedral stands as a stunning example of Gothic architecture and is renowned for its impressive facade, intricate stained glass, and monumental proportions, continuing to serve as a place of worship, tourism, and historical significance.