Lincoln Cathedral - The Exterior Part I

The Judgement Porch at Lincoln Cathedral

Arriving at Priory Gate, during my day out in Lincoln to explore its historic stone built architecture, I had been in the city for nearly two hours and had encountered several interesting examples – with the church of St. Mary-le-Wigford and the Stonebow being the highlights so far.

 

A Google Map view of 'uphill' Lincoln

Having just another couple of hours to explore ’uphill’ Lincoln, which coincides with the area that was enclosed within the walls of the upper part of the Roman city - where there is the greatest concentration of the city’s listed buildings - I had to use my time wisely before going back ‘downhill’ to catch my train back to Sheffield.

 

The floorplan of Lincoln Cathedral

Starting at Lincoln Cathedral, which would take several days to properly photograph in its entirety using a tripod and telephoto lens, I only had time to quickly walk around its exterior to make a general record of its architectural features with my Canon Powershot G16.

 

The east end of Lincoln Cathedral

Work started on the cathedral in 1072, initiated by Bishop Remigius, and the Norman cathedral was finished in 1092; however, an earthquake in 1185 and a collapse of the tower in 1237 necessitated major phases of essential rebuilding.

 

The south-east corner of Lincoln Cathedral

These, in addition to planned work, have resulted in most of the church being built in the Early English and Decorated Gothic styles, with the geometric tracery and crockets of the east end being typical of the latter and which are continued on the south elevation.

 

Decoration on the south-east corner of Lincoln Cathedral

Looking up at high level, the eaves to the aisle has an arcade like feature decorated with carved heads, which have been in many instances replaced, and there are various niches where statues would have once stood.

 

High level stone sculptures

The Decorated Gothic Judgement Porch, the south door to the C13 Angel Choir, depicts a central figure of Christ flanked by richly carved angels. It is flanked by statues believed to be of Edward I and Eleanor of Castile, whose heads were removed by the Puritans in the C17.

 

The Judgement Porch

It is flanked by two Perpendicular Gothic extensions to the Decorated Gothic aisle, each with four centred arched windows, castellated parapets and crocketted finials, and both these and the arch have been heavily restored.

 

The Judgement Porch

I didn’t get close enough to examine the stone but, judging by the greyish colour of these extensions compared to the brown patina that has developed on the arch – visible despite the accumulation of dirt - these have been restored with Ancaster stone and Lincoln stone respectively.

The east end of the south elevation