Lincoln CastleSeptember 1st, 2007 @ 10:00 am
Welcome to Lincoln Castle! Cyber cruisers are advised this tour is not for the faint of heart, we will see evidence of torture and executions so hold hands if necessary! William the Conqueror began building Lincoln Castle two years after the Battle of Hastings in 1066 on a site formerly occupied by the Romans. For 900 years, the castle was used as a garrison and a court with regular executions on the ramparts so watch your step my fellow cruisers!
Cobb Hall dates back to the 13th century and was used as a defensive tower, although it would’ve been much taller at that time. In the 14th century, it became the local prison and you can still see the ring bolts in the alcove! Between 1817 and 1868, the place was used for public hangings. Naughty cruisers beware!
Lucy Tower was constructed in 1068 and is part of the original castle built by William the Conqueror. It would’ve served as the last bastion of defence if the castle had fallen to the enemy. In 1824, the building became an unconsecrated graveyard for prisoners who were hanged and graves can still be identified with their stone markers. Who was Lucy? The tower was allegedly named after the granddaughter of Lady Godiva - she who liked to ride through the streets naked. (Cruisers, please do not confuse her with your captain who likes to ride through the waves naked!)
Stop! Put away the bubble bath and loofahs! The bath house was actually used for prison laundry and was built in 1805! There is a reservoir underneath the building which is filled by rainwater from the roof and an overflow system from a nearby well.
The prison was built in two parts in 1787 and later altered in 1844 when the second wing was added to the original T shape. In 1849, the prison adopted the Separate system where inmates were denied human contact and only allowed out of their cells to exercise and attend church services. Prisoners were not allowed to communicate with each other and had to wear leather masks when out of their cells. As a result, many felons went mad or committed suicide until the practice was abandoned in 1851. The prison was finally closed in 1878.
The Crown Court was built in 1826 and is still used today which means we can only go into the public gallery when the court is in session. Anyone fancy breaking the law? A prison mask awaits you!
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captain lifecruiser
said,
September 1, 2007 at 11:45 am
Wow! Of course I simply must adore the Lucy Tower considering the naming fact! *giggles*
I think we might have to count our cruisers when we leave here, so we have all of them with us back, so that not some of them have lost their heads! *giggles*
Such a scary place and yet I find the flowers outside Cobb Hall making it such a romantic place. I can totally imagine women there, dressed in beautiful clothes!!!
The leather masks just reminds me of Hannibal Hector…. *giggles*
I could also see myself doing laundry in that beautiful bath house. Perhaps not so idyllic in that times, butt looks like it now.
Oh, I just adore those old castles!!! I’ve seen so many in Scotland and Ireland and I’m jealous of them, that we don’t have that kind of castles here in Sweden.
We do have many old castles, but they don’t have the same patina or style of course. They’re nice too, butt in a different way.
Thanx for this wonderful stroll around in other times
Kasia
said,
September 1, 2007 at 11:56 am
I think that castles are castles only in England. There is this strange charm in them. I believe it comes from the thousands of years of England’s history, mysterious mists and foggy weather, green hills, rain, grey clouds in the English sky. The photos make some thrill go up and down my spine!
Caledonia
said,
September 1, 2007 at 4:53 pm
We have some pretty spectactular ones in Scotland too!
captain lifecruiser
said,
September 1, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Yes, I certainly can confirm that! I simply adore Scottish castles. I haven’t seen that many in Ireland, butt I suspect that they hold about the same standard. It’s a special style, no doubt about that
captain lifecruiser
said,
September 1, 2007 at 11:04 pm
I’m not spamming you (giggles) - I just had to see if your blog now shows my newly uploaded gravatar or not
captain lifecruiser
said,
September 1, 2007 at 11:05 pm
..and it didn’t, for some unknown reason - don’t it fetch it from gravatar.com?
Sword Girl » J’s Dad is…
said,
September 2, 2007 at 12:07 am
[...] Lincoln Castle by Caledonia! [...]
claudie
said,
September 2, 2007 at 9:42 am
Walking from the bottom to Lincoln Castle, I’m very impressed by this old building!!! Oh! I’m little afraid! William the Conqueror … executions on the remparts!!! Hey! Captain! Don’t be in a hurry! Wait me! Zut! I walked in a sheep shit!
with my left foot! It’s a good sign! I can continue!
Public hanging, now! I tremble!
I’m innocent, I swear it to you! I don’t want the mask!
Ho! Caledonia! thanks for the visit! I think I need a little comfort! Could you say me where is the nearest pub, please?
Sword Girl
said,
September 2, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Never fear, I’m hear with my long sword. Hahaha - I will free all those with the leather masks but look out, one has climbed a wall and looks very hungry. En guard! LOL!!!
RennyBA
said,
September 3, 2007 at 9:50 pm
What a lovely guided tour and great pics - thanks for taking us with!
Could I have that prison mask pleas LoL
A.
said,
September 3, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Wonderful place! It does look exactly like what you would draw as a “real castle”.