Battles and Dynasties exhibition to showcase historical treasures in Lincoln

A plethora of priceless treasures will be exhibited in Lincoln this summer as part of commemorations for the 800th anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln.

Following the success of Lincolnshire’s Great Exhibition, held to commemorate the 800th Anniversary of Magna Carta in 2015, the Exhibition Battles and Dynasties will bring a unique collection of treasures into the city.

The event, arranged by the Historic Lincoln Trust, has been arranged to commemorate the 800th Anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln in May 2017 and will be run in the David P J Ross Magna Carta Vault in the Castle and in The Collection from May 27 until September 3.

Lord Cormack, Chairman of the Historic Lincoln Trust, said:

“The most outstanding of all the treasures we will be showing is Domesday Book.

“Never, in almost 950 years, has it been displayed anywhere in the provinces. Domesday Book is, in effect, the birth certificate of Norman England, a detailed inventory of land and landholdings throughout England produced in 1086.

“But the appearance of Domesday Book in Lincoln, a truly memorable landmark in our city’s and county’s history, should not detract from the interest and splendour of the other exhibits.”

Lord Patrick Cormack, Chairman of the Historic Lincoln Trust. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Visitors to The Collection, where the rest of the exhibition will be displayed, will be able to see the near contemporary illustrations of the Battle of Lincoln from the 13th century Matthew Paris Chronicle.

There will also be an illustration of the earlier battle of Lincoln, that of 1141, when King Stephen was captured at the castle. There will be the prayer book which Richard III took to Bosworth Field and the personal book of devotions of Mary Tudor as well.

On a more sombre note, visitors will be able to see the Bill of Attainder which led to the execution of Katherine Howard and the death warrant of Mary Queen of Scots.

The trust will also be displaying the great illuminated bible of Henry IV, Henry Bolingbroke, the only king to be born in Lincolnshire, and the will of Henry V.

The exhibition will also include some remarkable royal portraits, loaned by Her Majesty The Queen from the Royal Collection, including Van Dyck’s great triple portrait of Charles I and Hans Holbein’s drawings of Anne Boleyn and John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester.

All three of the longest reigning Queens will be celebrated with painted portraits of Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria, and photographs of Her Majesty The Queen, when Princess Elizabeth, featuring in the exhibition.

All in all this will be a sumptuous and memorable feast of exhibits – manuscripts, documents, portraits and even Queen Victoria’s throne.

It has been made possible by the sponsorship of the David Ross Foundation, Investors in Lincoln, and a number of Lincolnshire companies and individuals.

Patrick, Lord Cormack added: “I would urge everyone in Lincolnshire to make an effort to come for these things will never be seen together again.

“What an embarrassment of riches is coming to Lincolnshire” said Mary Powell, tourism manager Lincolnshire County Council “If it was just Domesday Book that would be exciting enough, but add in wonderful items like Van Dyck’s triple portrait of Charles I and Holbein’s Ann Boleyn and this summer’s exhibition is going to be an unforgettable treat for locals and visitors alike.”

All inclusive tickets for Lincoln Castle are priced at: Adults £13.50, Concession £11, Child £7.20, Family £34.20 (2 adults & up to 3 children).

More information can be found here.