Kings, queens, ghosts, dragons, swords and dungeons are just a few of the countless things behind the public’s fascination with castles. These amazing stone structures are rich in history and reside in some of the most legendary parts of the world. English castles are some of the most popular fortresses that tourists flock to when visiting Europe.
Constructed toward the start of the 11th century on top of ruins of an earlier fortress used in Roman times, Lincoln Castle is the fascinating home of William the Conqueror, the Norman king who assumed the throne of England after victory in the Battle of Hastings against the last of the Anglo Saxons. The structure is one of the better preserved examples of Norman fortresses in England; well preserved, even for the best of English castles.
Architecture
Nestled in the Lincolnshire County of England, the castle design allows those inside a chance to view the countryside via a walkway inside its massive 12th century siding. Those very thick walls have exhibited their usefulness throughout the life of the castle, both in keeping uninvited intruders out, and also in keeping unlucky prisoners permanently in.
The castle officially operated as a court as well as a prison for close to nine hundred years and most inmates found it nearly impossible to escape from the premises. Tourists today can comfortably experience the feeling of being inside an historic prison knowing their freedom is not in danger.
History
Not all of Lincoln Castle’s fame includes loss of liberty though, as described at www.lincolnshire.org, it also houses one of the only four existent copies of the original freedom confirming document, the Magna Carta. Signed by King John in 1215, the Magna Carta guaranteed certain freedoms and legal rights to proper English citizens of the time. Parts of the concept written into the Magna Carta remain the centrally understood backbone of citizen freedoms for both England and the United States.
An educational exhibition also housed in the castle, which explains the fascinating origin of this master agreement, includes the history of its important creation and its effect on democratic governments. Visitors have called the collection the best of its kind of Museum display.
Separated System Chapel
Another favorite section of the castle which is open to the public is the historic prison chapel. Unique to its Victorian construction time period, the chapel’s seats were each enclosed so that those individuals in the congregation during the service were not able to be in contact with their neighbors. While this helped keep inmates from passing information, and thereby helped prevent criminal subcultures from flourishing, it also demoralized and disoriented the inmates, making them easier to control. The separation system pews give a rare glimpse of what was once in use, and is a particularly intense place to visit, according to recent visitor stories.
Castles are amazing stone structures which have been present for centuries and have protected some of the wealthiest people around the globe. For some of their owners, these places were a bastion of power used to torture and strike fear among their subjects. Tourists have a fascination with this type of fortress, and will cross seas just to walk where legends once stood. As one of the better, more intact examples of English castles, Lincoln is a popular destination.
Photo Credit:Â http://www.flickr.com/photos/mdpettitt/8091475967/
