3 of 40 - See the Domesday Book
Having always been interested in history - and knowing that Lincolnshire, the county of my birth, was featured heavily - I have wished to see this 1000 year old book (give or take a couple of decades). Apparently it lives in The National Archives in Kew and has been on show on a number of occasions. Another excuse to travel to London? Well, no!
As luck would have it the mighty tome, which was commissioned by William the Conquerer in 1086, was on tour in Lincoln alongside the Magna Carta of 1215 and Charter of the Forest of 1217 (only 800 years old, a mere babe!). The Victorian prison at Lincoln Castle has a new, purpose-built vault which was sponsored by David Ross.
The Magna Carta is well worth seeing anyway, although the Charter of the Forest is slightly more fair. And then there in a case at the end of the vault was the book. THE book. THE one which had last left London during World War II for safe keeping in Bodmin Prison. THE one which was now on display temporarily in Lincoln! LINCOLN!
Of course, it was behind glass in a controlled environment but it was open on the first page of Lincolnshire. Even though it was in an abbreviated form of Medieval Latin, one could pick out some place names and the fact that they were part of Lindsey. Incredible. A discussion ensued between me and another visitor, both excited at the place names which could be picked out.
A visit to the vault also meant that I gained access to the Victorian Prison, which is within the walls of the castle. It has been opened up to show how men and women spent their life, once they had been convicted. Well worth a visit year round. The Magna Carta and Charter of the Forest are on display all the time too.
As luck would have it the mighty tome, which was commissioned by William the Conquerer in 1086, was on tour in Lincoln alongside the Magna Carta of 1215 and Charter of the Forest of 1217 (only 800 years old, a mere babe!). The Victorian prison at Lincoln Castle has a new, purpose-built vault which was sponsored by David Ross.
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| Not allowed to take photographs inside the vault! |
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| View of Lincoln Cathedral |
The Magna Carta is well worth seeing anyway, although the Charter of the Forest is slightly more fair. And then there in a case at the end of the vault was the book. THE book. THE one which had last left London during World War II for safe keeping in Bodmin Prison. THE one which was now on display temporarily in Lincoln! LINCOLN!
Of course, it was behind glass in a controlled environment but it was open on the first page of Lincolnshire. Even though it was in an abbreviated form of Medieval Latin, one could pick out some place names and the fact that they were part of Lindsey. Incredible. A discussion ensued between me and another visitor, both excited at the place names which could be picked out.
A visit to the vault also meant that I gained access to the Victorian Prison, which is within the walls of the castle. It has been opened up to show how men and women spent their life, once they had been convicted. Well worth a visit year round. The Magna Carta and Charter of the Forest are on display all the time too.
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