An architectural treat, to which we should thank Bishop Hugh, who was quite a popular chap back in the late 1100's. By far the most important figure-head Lincoln Cathedral has seen and he will be disappointed to be automatically disqualified from the Dead Person category simply because of his career choice. His zeal for the beauty of 'the house of God' led to decades of, in cathedral terms, outrageous and sumptuous architecture.
Built on a hill to be closer to the clouds, with 1000 years of history, this building stands out amongst Cathedrals.
Architectural Features
Crazy Vaults
Crazy = Zig-Zag
The space above St Hugh's choir zigzags it's length. It was completely asymmetrical (not common!) and the walls are littered with seemingly random decorativeness. made more symmetrical later with the first use in a Cathedral of arched diagonal ribs, called tiercerons.
All the church's vaults are original and experimental. Make sure you look up when you visit.Huge Spire
Once the tallest building in the world!
The pyramids of Giza held the title of tallest structures in the world for 4000 years. Lincoln Cathedral took this honour and held it tight for almost 200 years, until it's giant spire blew over in 1548. Regardless, this is all quite cool.
John Ruskin Quote (wiki)
John Ruskin (8 February 1819 – 20 January 1900) was the leading English art critic of the Victorian era,
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
The Roof
It's basically just a lid. A giant spaceship could take this right off.
More rafters and trusses than most, this is a large structure that stays in place purely because of it's humongous size and weight.
The Angel Choir
So popular was the tomb of St Hugh the whole east wing, deep inside the Cathedral, was rebuilt in his honour, and the Angel Choir was born.
Earliest surviving window tracery of an English Cathedral (basically the stone supporting the glass). Not that exciting really. More interesting is the host of angels flying up the stonework and what they are doing.... A fancy choir for a well loved Bishop.
The Western Towers
When you see two towers like these, perched on a mound, dominating the skyline, you can't fail to be impressed.
St Hugh's Choir
A church within a church.
Yeah, impressive. The carvings on the screen are all-right too.
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Stories & Trivia
The Lincoln Imp (wiki)
Apparently an actual Devil that got up to a lot of mischief and was set in stone by an upset angel.
This story must be one of the most important in Lincoln's illustrious history - it is the symbol of the city! But if the Devil sent these pesky creatures down to Earth to bother us, why not give instructions further than tripping up the Bishop and smashing furniture? So one got caught in Lincoln Cathedral and set in stone (it can be found here) and one fled to Grimsby. Arguably a far worse fate.
Hugh of Lincoln (wiki)
This bloke has to be mentioned. A man of the people, a Bishop, a friend and a Saint.
He does sound like a nice guy and he did a lot of good things.
Giant Earthquake
God not so clever after all
In 1185 an earthquake shook this building to the ground. Luckily the next Bishop was to be St Hugh, and he had great fun rebuilding.
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Cafe
Cloisters
The Red Lion of the cafe circuit, at Lincoln Cathedral you'll drink at The Cloisters
Small, tidy, calm and well presented. Solid tables and chairs. Nice colour scheme. The tea was good.
However, cakes were served in plastic wrapping. Okay, it's a small cafe and budgets are tight, but small things stick in the mind. And this is not a 'small thing'.
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Treasures
Magna Carta (wiki)
There are not many of these left. This is a bit special.
Okay, admittedly now held in the castle, but we're back to St. Hugh again. This guy is a very important part of our history. He added his signature to this little document. This document has roots in Lincoln.
The Wren Library
A rare collection of manuscripts...
Hmmmm. You're unlikely to get to read the aged texts resting here. The 'Wren' is who you first think of, Sir Christopher. Hence the mention here.
Rose Windows
The coloured windows in this church may startle you, and the jewels are the circular ones
A highly uncommon feature among medieval architecture in England. The "Dean’s Eye" and the "Bishop’s Eye are big colourful round windows.
The all-round brightness and quality of the windows in this church stand out and are an important feature.- top
"this is an outrage!"
Think we were too generous or not generous enough...
tell us what you think of Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary.