Lincoln Cathedral

'I have always held and am prepared against all evidence to maintain that the Cathedral of Lincoln is out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles and roughly speaking worth any two other cathedrals we have'.

John Ruskin 1819-1900

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There can be few people who have seen the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln who will not agree with the sentiments expressed by John Ruskin. Much of its impact is due to its position on the top of Lindum Hill which means that from certain directions it can be seen for some twenty miles.

The Cathedral was built mainly in three periods : Norman (1075-1092), Early English (1191-1250 and 1256-1300). There were additions and alterations in the fourteenth and fifteen centuries. In the late seventeenth century the Wren Library was built and the cloisters restored.
The five drawings below by David Vale illustrate the various stages in the building of the Cathedral :


1092	1120	1160


	1250		1280

The above photograph of the Lincoln Cathedral Choristers in the Cloisters by Michael Powell is taken with permission from the Annual Report of the Association of the Friends of Lincoln Cathedral. The photographs below are also from the same source unless attributed otherwise. I am sure these photographs will help those who have not been able to visit the Cathedral personally to understand why Lincolnshire people are so proud of it.



Lincoln Cathedral Thomas Girtin Eighteenth century

Lincoln circa 1743 Samuel and Nathaniel Buck

A View of Lincoln Cathedral from the West, 1742 Joseph Baker (died 1770)

Lincoln Cathedral Drawn by J. Buckler Engraved by B. Howlett Published by William Miller London 30 May 1803

Lincoln Cathedral from Brayford Drawn by T. Girtin Engraved by B. Howlett Undated

Lincoln Cathedral circa 1820 E. J. Wilson (1787-1853) after Pugin

Lincoln Cathedral and Castle from Braeford Water Richard Bankes Harraden, RBA 1778-1862

Lincoln Cathedral and Pottergate Attributed to Peter de Wint (1784-1849)

Lincoln Cathedral from the South East John Chessel Buckler (l793-1894)

A view of Lincoln Cathedral Charles Leaver (Active 1867-1883)

'Lovers Lane' Lincoln 1850 Painting by Roy Fisk after Charles Leaver

Lincoln Cathedral from the Castle circa 1900 Jourdain

Lincoln Cathedral and Exchequergate 1903 William Logsdail (1859-1944)

Lincoln Cathedral circa 1920 Etching by M. M. Rudge

The Christmas Market Lincoln Roy Fisk

Lincoln Cathedral from Broadgate © John Middleton 2000

Lincoln Cathedral from Michaelgate © E C Trott

Lincoln Cathedral and Old Bishop's Palace from Temple Gardens © E C Trott

Lincoln Cathedral from Brayford © David Belton

Lincoln Cathedral from Exchequergate CD (CRCD 6056) Cantoris Records "The Buskers" - Rob Rosa, Violin; Chris Glynn, Piano. Photograph by Leandro Carbonell. Lighting by Chris Olney

Laurence McGinlay (based on a painting in the Usher Gallery, Lincoln) © Cantoris Records

Cathedral from Vicar's Court © Lincoln Camera Club

Cathedral from Exchequergate © Phillip Green
Cathedral from the Castle walls © Paul Sharples

The official Lincoln Cathedral web site and those of Peter Fairweather and Roger Parsons will provide more information about Lincoln Cathedral.

Revised: 01 May 2004