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Summary

Lincoln Castle, built in 1068.

Images

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Lincoln Castle © Lincolnshire County Council	Lincoln Castle © Lincolnshire County Council	Lincoln Castle © Lincolnshire County Council
Lincoln Castle © Lincolnshire County Council	Lincoln Castle © Lincolnshire County Council	Lincoln Castle © Lincolnshire County Council
Lincoln Castle © Lincolnshire County Council	Lincoln Castle © Lincolnshire County Council	Lincoln Castle © Lincolnshire County Council
Lincoln Castle © Lincolnshire County Council	Lincoln Castle © Lincolnshire County Council	Lincoln Castle © Lincolnshire County Council
Lincoln Castle © Lincolnshire County Council	Lincoln Castle © Lincolnshire County Council	South-east corner of Lincoln Castle, looking west. © Lincolnshire County Council

Full description

PRN 70129
The Castle was built in 1068, in the south west corner of the Roman station, covering 13 3/4 acres including the ditches. In the curtain wall are two principal gates, one to the east opening up to the upper city and the other to the west opening direct into the field. The Norman Keep is a fine example of a shell keep. The Norman works consist of the curtain, gateways, observatory tower and the keep. Cobbe Hall and the additions to the observatory tower and the Eastern Gateway are probably the works of Thomas of Lancaster, Earl of Lincoln, who held the Castle from 1312 to 1322. {3}{5}
Various investigations have been carried out inside and immediately adjacent to the Castle between 1990 and 1994. Information regarding construction was gathered to varying degrees. {7}{8}{9}{10}{11}{12}{19}
Work on the south west side of the castle bank in 1996 revealed the layered stratigraphy seen previously in 1993, consisting of bands of sandy earth and limestone interleaved with bands of limestone fragments of various sizes. There was no dating evidence. {4}{20}
A 1983 trench at the West Gate was reopened in 1992 in order to ascertain whether the trench had cut into the foundations for the West Gate. The bottom of the trench had indeed been cut into the foundations for the West Gate by circa 0.4 metres, under the misconception that the layer was natural limestone brash. This supposition was proved incorrect as the excavation moved westwards, revealing a more substantial foundation approximately two metres to the west of the gate entrance. {15}
A watching brief was undertaken during groundworks on the water mains replacement scheme around Bailgate, Lincoln. A trench on Union Road revealed a possible upcast bank associated with the castle. {16}{17}
A resistivity survey was conducted in selected areas within the walls of Lincoln Castle. Detailed survey identified a range of electrical anomalies, a number of which almost certainly reflect traces of former buildings or walls. A series of anomalies may reflect traces of the former gaol block and County Hall. Within the Lucy Tower, a pennanular shaped anomaly appears to indicate the position of an internal structure(s) around a central courtyard. {18}
Two trial trenches were excavated within the Lucy Tower, investigating the east and west recesses. The recesses were proved not to have been original to the plan of the tower. Pottery evidence suggested that the tower was undergoing repairs during the 13th century. This may be related to damage inflicted during the Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217. Roof tile of late 12th-13th century date suggests that structures were present within the tower. The intervention in the western recess uncovered a stone with an elaborate mason's mark depicting a fish. The intervention in the eastern tower revealed remains of a doorway and staircase which was probably related to a structure shown on documentary sources. The doorway appears to have been blocked in the early 13th century, although the structure appears to have survived until the 19th century. {21}{22}
A survey of the historic graffiti in Cobb Hall was carried out recently. Several previously unrecorded carvings were identified. These include a heraldic shield which has been identified as belonging to the Mortimer family, probably John de Mortimer who was in Edward I's army against Scotland in 1290. Many of the medieval graffiti were probably carved by troops temporarily resident in the castle. These carvings include crosses, figures of men and animals and also several simple geometric carvings which may be game boards. There appears to be little graffiti from the late medieval and post medieval period until the 17th to 18th century. {23}
A possible historic door opening in the Lucy Tower was investigated. Medieval stonework was recorded behind the 19th century masonry, and elements of the north side of the passageway survived although there was no evidence for the survival of the south side. {24}
During a watching brief on the Observatory Tower mound, above the car park, evidence of Victorian terracing was seen relating to the period when this site was used as an ornamental garden with tea room. A large quantity of residual medieval and Roman pottery was also recovered. This probably originated in the material of the mound itself which would have been disturbed during terracing. It may also have come from soil brought in from elsewhere during terracing. {25}{26}

Monument Types

• CASTLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• MOTTE AND BAILEY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Associated Events

• Lincoln Castle re-examination of 1983 trench at West Gate
• Water mains replacement scheme, around Bailgate, Lincoln
• Lincoln Castle Resitivity Survey
• Archaeological evaluation at Lucy Tower, Lincoln Castle
• Historic graffiti survey at Cobb Hall, Lincoln Castle
• Investigation of historic door opening at Lucy Tower, Lincoln Castle
• Watching brief at the Observatory Tower, Lincoln Castle
• Watching brief during test pitting at Lincoln Castle, 1992
• Trial trenching at Lincoln Castle, 1991
• Watching brief during stability investigations at Lincoln Castle, 1990
• Watching brief during west bank remedial works, Lincoln Castle
• Watching brief during service trenching at Lincoln Castle, 1992-3
• Watching brief during trial pitting at Lincoln Castle observatory tower mound retaining wall
• Watching brief at Lincoln Castle west bank, 1996

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument

Sources and further reading

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