Sunday Times, Where Was I. PC/ CD Wed 04 Aug 1999.
dave.allen
This was not a good place to be in 1185: it was hit by an earthquake so
severe it flattened the Norman cathedral. Today, the only rumblings emanate
from the trains using the 19th-century station where I have just arrived.
But this place was a busy crossroads long before the advent of the railway;
two Roman roads intersected close by, one of which ran right through the
city.
With the station behind me I head for the "Up hill" part of town; surprise,
surprise, I am currently "Down hill". I pass close to a small lake - perhaps
the pool that gave this city its Iron Age name - "place by the pool". The
Romans changed the spelling slightly and by AD300 it was a regional capital.
Heading Up hill while walking Down hill, if you get my drift, I cross a
medieval bridge, unusual for the half-timbered buildings perched upon it.
Beyond is a 15th-century arch, once a gateway to the city - these days it's
part of the Guildhall. With the Theatre Royal to my right, (on this site
since 1764), I leave the High Street in search of the castle and rebuilt
cathedral. In doing so I pass possibly this country's oldest domestic
building - at least 850 years old - and other fine examples of Norman
architecture. I am also aware that the gradient is increasing significantly,
which is presumably why somebody called this street Steep Hill and
thoughtfully furnished it with a restaurant or two. I wonder if they sell
plumbread, a local delicacy?
The cathedral and castle lie almost opposite one another and were both
founded by William the Conqueror. The former was once the tallest in the
country and the views from the castle, I am told, are fantastic. (I am still
bemused: tall, high and hill are words I least expected in this part of the
world). But on this occasion I pass them both by and walk to the street's
end to one of the city's oldest structures - a second century Roman archway,
Britain's oldest city gate still open to traffic.
Choosing my moment carefully, I pass through it, wondering who may have
trodden this path. Legionnaires; Normans; Maybe the king who granted this
place its charter. Even though he spent barely 40% of his reign in this
country, he purportedly came here. This gate must have witnessed them all.
THE QUESTIONS
1 Which Roman road passed through the city?
2 Which king granted the city its charter?
THE PRIZE
A week's gîte holiday in France for up to four people, including return
ferry crossings, with Gîtes de France and Brittany Ferries - and the winners
can choose which region of France they stay in.
Gîtes de France in association with Brittany Ferries offers a wide range of
self-catering holidays to France in a variety of locations - anything from
farmhouses in the heart of the countryside, to coastal cottages and
converted watermills. Gîtes provide an excellent base from which to explore
a region's landscapes, markets and restaurants, and offer a real insight
into life in "La France profonde".
For a brochure, call Brittany Ferries on 0990-360 360, or visit the website:
www.brittany-ferries.com
The prize can be taken at any time after September 1, 1999, until June 1,
2000, excluding Christmas and New Year, and is subject to availability.
The winner, and two runners-up, will also receive two Rough Guide travel
books of their choice.
ENTRIES
On a postcard to: -
Where Was I? August 1, 1999,
PO Box 5078,
Leighton Buzzard,
Beds
LU7 7GB
Winners will be announced in next week's Directions. Times Newspapers rules
apply. No correspondence will be entered into.
ANSWERS AND WINNERS
THE ANSWERS to last week's competition are Tunbridge Wells and spring water.
The winner is Mrs P R Atkins of Newmarket whose prize is a three-night break
for two at the four-star Budock Vean Hotel on the banks of the Helford River
in Cornwall. For further details on the hotel and a brochure, call
01326-252100.
The runners-up are Mrs W Martin of Caerphilly and Mrs P Cornelius of
Swanley. They, like the winner, receive two Rough Guide books of their
choice.
dave.allen
A very easy one this time. I do not think I shall be entering this.
THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1 Which Roman road passed through the city?---------------> Ermine Street
2 Which king granted the city its charter?-----------------> Henry II
NOTES
The city is Lincoln
100BC Iron age settlement around Brayford Pool. Known as "Lindon" the 'place
by the pool'
AD54-60 Invading Roman army establishes a military garrison and latinises
name to "Lindum"
In 1157 Henry II grants a charter and has a residence in the city
Ermine Street is the name for the remains of a Roman road which runs from
London to Lincoln. Although much built-upon and plundered, the road follows
essentially the same route as it always has. The name "Ermine Street",
though, is of later origin than the road itself and grew from the
Anglo-Saxon Earningstræt - "the road to Earn's people".
ENTRIES
On a postcard to: -
Where Was I? August 1, 1999,
PO Box 5078,
Leighton Buzzard,
Beds
LU7 7GB
Good luck everyone
DAve
David
David
dave.allen
Does the Fosse Way pass throught the city?
DAve
David
David
PS - I always thought that Fosse Way joined Ermine Street north of Lincoln but I don't really know.