Learning in Lincoln

On Wednesday, we had a fist school required fieldtrip, one to a decently sized city about an hour away.  We stayed mostly on the top of the hill where the castle and the cathedral were built in the 11^th century after the Norman invasion.

I started off in the Castle area where we were supposed to see the Manga Carta but our guide decided we needed to remain outside and pointed out several slightly interesting places (but I was really too cold to care).

The Observatory Tower in the southeast corner of the keep.

Cobb Hall in the northeast corner of the Bailey, a former prison and where the once stood the gallows.

The crown court of 1826, it is still used as a courthouse today.  In fact, court was in session when we were there.

The ceremonial East Gate, used only for important functions.  

Lucy Tower on the south side, on its motte (that's how it is spelled in my text book).

Next, I went on to the cathedral and began learning about the different styles of gothic architecture, and the interesting carvings normally overlooked.  We only stayed outside long enough to get a good idea of the carvings there before my tour guide (also my British Studies professor Dr. Bujak) took us inside to show us the more interesting things in the slightly warmer cathedral.  Good news is, pictures were allowed inside, so I took plenty.

Large picture from below

Instead of a row of saints, there is a row of kings to emphasize the connection between the Church and the State.

Carvings around the main door to the cathedral.

Stain glass light on the floor

The stone pillar that marks where the old church was, which means the cathedral is not symmetrical.

Prime example of the problems caused by not getting the measurements right.

Really detailed carvings, and those flowers are not shallow either.

Destroyed pilgrimage spot from the Reformation.

The Chapter House where Edward I declared his son Edward (eventually Edward II) Prince of Wales, not a good tourist destination for the Welsh.

After the Cathedral, it was lunch and then the roman walks, which covered more than just the Roman occupation.

Part of the East Gate, once again it was more ceremonial than functional.

Part of the Roman Water Tank right in someone's back yard.

Wrong side of the Newport arch, or the north arch, the functional roman gate.

The well they used before the water tank.

Finally, I was allowed to take off on my own (they had a path all laid out in our booklets).  I would have followed the booklet but I came upon a discount bookstore and began my quest to find a book for my oldest sister.  No luck, but I did find the Hunger Games Trilogy on a table that said “2 for £3” which made me very happy (but I didn’t buy them). 

Found the other large church in this town.

Looking back after climbing the worst part of Steep Hill, and seeing the church spire in-between the tree branches.

Shortly after, we left Lincoln to return to our own house on a hill, Harlaxton.

J. Clark.