Lincoln Castle
| Lincoln Castle | |
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| Lincolnshire | |
View over of Lincoln Castle from the cathedral to the east
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 Lincoln Castle
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| Coordinates | 53°14′07″N 0°32′27″W / 53.23529°N 0.54095°WCoordinates: 53°14′07″N 0°32′27″W / 53.23529°N 0.54095°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 11th century |
| Battles/wars | First Battle of Lincoln (1141) Second Battle of Lincoln (1217) |
| Official name | Lincoln Castle (except modern buildings) |
| Reference no. | 1005049 |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name | Lincoln Castle |
| Designated | 15 August 1973 |
| Reference no. | 1388491 |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Reference no. |
1388492 - Bath House 1388493 - Statue of George III |
| Website | http://www.lincolncastle.com/ |
Lincoln Castle is a major castle constructed in Lincoln, England, during the late 11th century by William the Conqueror on the site of a pre-existing Roman fortress. The castle is unusual in that it has two mottes. It is only one of two such castles in the country, the other being at Lewes in Sussex. Lincoln Castle remained in use as a prison and law court into modern times, and is one of the better preserved castles in England; the Crown Courts continue to this day. It is open to the public as a museum. Lincoln Castle remains one of the most impressive Norman castles in the United Kingdom. It is still possible to walk around the immense Norman walls which provide a magnificent view of the castle complex, together with panoramic views of the cathedral, the city, and the surrounding countryside.
After William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson and the English at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, he continued to face resistance to his rule in the north of England. For a number of years, William's position was very insecure. In order to project his influence northwards to control the people of the Danelaw (an area that had for a time been under the control of Scandinavian settlers), he constructed a number of major castles in the North and Midlands of England: including those at Warwick, Nottingham and York. After gaining control of York, the Conqueror turned southwards and arrived at the Roman and Viking city of Lincoln.
When William reached Lincoln (one of the country's major settlements), he found a Viking commercial and trading centre with a population of 6,000 to 8,000. The remains of the old Roman walled fortress, located 60 metres (200 ft) above the countryside to the south and west, proved an ideal strategic position to construct a new castle. Lincoln was also a vital strategic crossroads of the following routes (largely the same routes which influenced the siting of the Roman fort):
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Wikipedia