Josh Francis

— On this week in Lincoln is part of a new series, reflecting each week on different highlights throughout Lincoln’s history. This week, Josh Francis looks at the history of the city swans, and a royal birth in the county.

This week in history, two events happened in the county of significance.

In 1524 on May 24, Henry VIII commissioned Lord Sir Christopher Wyllaby, Sir Edmund Dimock and other Justices of the Peace to confirm the preservation of swans on the River Witham.

The commission laid down documentation which identified the ownership of swans by the king — and currently the queen.

It entailed the investigation of ditches and any tributaries. It also included any ponds or streams in the counties.

Through the commission, regulations were also put down to ensure the conservation of fishing, including nets and the use of dogs.

To help with the preservation of swans, it was also decreed that thatching or cutting of the grasslands was allowed within 40 yards of a swan nest.

Meanwhile in 1351 at Bolingbroke Castle, Henry the IV was born.

In 1399 Henry usurped the throne from Richard the II — though despite this, his claim as king was not widely recognised, especially by King Charles VI of France.

Henry spent much of his reign trying to gain control of his lands from various revolts and of course, the plague in 1400.

Henry died in 1413 from exhaustion.

— On this week in Lincoln is part of a new series, reflecting each week on different highlights throughout Lincoln’s history. This week, Josh Francis takes a look at a significant figure who helped shape the city.

This week in May commemorates the death of Lincoln’s first bishop, Remigius de Feschamp, who died in 1092.

Feschamp, a Benedictine monk, was originally the Bishop of Dorchester.

However in 1088, an order was passed to have the monks removed from large cities and fenced towns and William the Conquer (who Feschamp was big supporter of) moved him to Lincoln.

After being appointed the first official Bishop of Lincoln, Regimus was involved in creating roles such as the Dean of Lincoln and various other positions for what would soon be Lincoln Cathedral.

The cathedral itself was constructed of Lincolnshire oolitic limestone and was built-in the south-east corner, opposite the castle.

William had already built Lincoln Castle in the south-west corner of the old Roman city, then called Lindum Colonia. It was thought that William wanted to leave his mark on the country and create landmarks to assure safety against the threat of Vikings.

In addition to bestowing titles, during his four years as bishop he also helped to lay foundations for the new cathedral.

He died before the construction was completed, but he is buried in North Transept of the iconic structure (pictured).

In 1141, Lincoln Cathedral was damaged by a fire, and it was left to another Lincoln Bishop, Alexander the Magnificent, to rebuild the damage using advanced architecture techniques of the time.

Photo: Ealdgyth