Timeline of Lincoln facts for kids

The city of Lincoln has a long and exciting history, stretching back thousands of years! Located in the East Midlands of England, it's the county town of Lincolnshire. This timeline will take you on a journey through some of the most important moments in Lincoln's past, from ancient times to today.

Early History: Before the 17th Century

Even before the Romans arrived, the area around Lincoln was home to ancient British tribes like the Corieltauvi. Their language was similar to modern Welsh, and the name Lincoln actually comes from an old Welsh word, 'Lindo', which means 'Lake'.

• 48 AD – The powerful Romans conquer Lincolnshire. They build a fort, which later grows into a town.
• Around 60 AD – A second, larger fort is built for a Roman army group called Legio IX Hispana.
• 71–77 AD – Another Roman army group, Legio II Adiutrix, is stationed here.
• After 86 AD – The settlement becomes known as Lindum Colonia. This was a special place for retired Roman soldiers to live.
• Around 120 AD – The Romans likely create the Foss Dyke, a waterway connecting Lincoln to the River Trent. This was important for trade and travel.
• 3rd Century – The impressive Newport Arch, a Roman gate, is built. You can still see parts of it today!
• 320 AD – Lincoln is mentioned in a Roman travel guide called the Antonine Itinerary.
• Around 500 AD – Roman rule ends. The local British people form their own kingdom called Kingdom of Lindsey.
• Around 600 AD – Anglo-Saxon tribes, who were not Christian, start to settle in the area.
• 870 AD – The area comes under the influence of the Kingdom of Mercia.
• 877 AD – The Vikings, also known as the Danes, settle in Lincoln.
• 918 AD (likely date) – Lincoln becomes one of the Five Boroughs of the Danelaw, areas controlled by the Danes.
• 942 AD – King Edmund of England captures the Five Boroughs from the Danes.
• 11th Century – Churches like St Mary le Wigford and St Peter at Gowts are built.
• 1068 AD – The Normans, led by William the Conqueror, build the first Lincoln Castle.
• 1072 AD – Bishop Remigius de Fécamp moves his church headquarters to Lincoln.
• 1075–88 AD – Bishop Remigius starts building the first Lincoln Cathedral.
• 1092 AD – The first Lincoln Cathedral is officially opened shortly after Bishop Remigius dies.
• 1110 AD – A big fire damages Lincoln.
• 1121 AD – King Henry I orders improvements to the Foss Dyke waterway.
• 1123 AD – Another fire damages Lincoln.
• 1141 AD – A major battle, the First Battle of Lincoln, takes place. King Stephen is captured after fierce fighting in the streets. The Cathedral roof is also damaged by fire.
• Mid-12th Century – The Jew's House, a historic building, is constructed.
• 1157 AD – Lincoln is given a special charter, allowing it to elect its own council.
• Around 1160 AD – The High Bridge, a unique medieval bridge with shops, is built.
• 1185 AD – A strong earthquake destroys parts of Lincoln Cathedral.
• 1190 AD – Violence against Jewish people spreads to Lincoln, forcing them to seek safety in the castle.
• 1192 AD – Reconstruction of Lincoln Cathedral begins under Bishop Hugh.
• 1217 AD – The Second Battle of Lincoln takes place. French forces, who had taken the city, are defeated by English royal forces. The city is then looted.
• 1226 AD – King Henry III holds a parliament meeting in Lincoln.
• 1231 AD – Franciscan friars, a type of religious order, arrive in Lincoln.
• 1238 AD – Dominican friars also arrive in Lincoln.
• 1255 AD – A sad event known as the "Libel of Lincoln" occurs. A young boy is found dead, and Jewish people are falsely blamed, leading to arrests and hangings.
• 1290 AD – Eleanor of Castile dies near Lincoln. Her funeral procession starts from the city.
• 1311 AD – The central tower and spire of the Cathedral are completed.
• 1314 AD – The city appoints its first mayor.
• 1349 AD – The terrible Black Death plague hits Lincoln, causing many deaths.
• 1386 AD – King Richard II gives the city a special sword as a symbol of its importance.
• 1390 AD – King Richard II orders the building of a new south gate, which becomes the Stonebow.
• Around 1520 – The Guildhall and Stonebow is completed.
• 1538 AD – King Henry VIII closes the friaries during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
• 1540 AD – Lincoln is officially granted city status.
• 1549 AD – The central spire of Lincoln Cathedral is blown down in a storm.
• 1584 AD – Lincoln Grammar School is formed by combining two existing schools.
• 1617 AD – King James I visits Lincoln.
• 1643–1648 AD – During the English Civil War, Lincoln is fought over by the Parliamentarian and Royalist armies, changing hands several times.
• 1671–72 AD – Work is done to improve navigation on the Foss Dyke and River Witham.
• 1674 AD – A new library for Lincoln Cathedral is started, designed by the famous architect Christopher Wren.

Modern Times: 18th Century Onwards

• 1732 AD – A theatre is built in Lincoln.
• 1744 AD – Assembly Rooms are built, and the Foss Dyke is deepened again.
• 1756 AD – Roads around Lincoln are improved.
• 1764 AD – The first Theatre Royal is built.
• 1769 AD – A hospital for sick people is established.
• 1771 AD – Horse racing begins on the West Common.
• 1776 AD – Lincoln County Hospital moves to new buildings.
• 1780 AD – John Wesley, a famous religious leader, preaches in Lincoln for the first time.
• 1799 AD – The first Roman Catholic church since the Reformation is built.

The 19th Century: Growth and Change

• 1809 AD – The city's jail and Sessions House are completed.
• 1816 AD – The first steamboat is launched on the River Witham.
• 1820 AD – The Lawn opens as a hospital for people with mental health issues.
• 1828 AD – New laws are passed to improve Lincoln, including paving streets, lighting, and police services. A gas company is also started to provide gas lighting.
• 1840 AD – Ruston (engine builder), a major engineering company, begins its journey.
• 1846 AD – The first railway line opens in Lincoln, bringing trains to Lincoln St. Marks railway station.
• 1848 AD – The Great Northern Railway opens, and Lincoln Central railway station is built. The Corn Exchange is also built.
• 1857 AD – "Old barracks" are built for the local militia.
• 1861 AD – The Lincoln Co-operative Society starts trading.
• 1862 AD – Bishop Grosseteste University is founded as a training school for female teachers.
• 1863 AD – Lincoln College of Art opens.
• 1872 AD – HM Prison Lincoln opens. The Arboretum, the city's first public park, is created.
• 1876 AD – Work begins on a city-wide sewerage system.
• 1878 AD – Lincoln County Hospital moves to its current location.
• 1882 AD – Horse-drawn trams start operating in Lincoln.
• 1884 AD – Lincoln City F.C., the city's football club, plays its first match.
• 1890 AD – New barracks are built, and the Lincoln Drill Hall opens.
• 1893 AD – The Lincolnshire Echo newspaper is first published.
• 1894 AD – The first public library opens.
• 1898 AD – The first electricity generating station is built.

The 20th Century: Modernisation and Wars

• 1901 AD – Lincoln's population reaches 48,784.
• 1904–1905 AD – A typhoid fever outbreak sadly kills 130 people.
• 1905 AD – Electric trams begin operating in Lincoln.
• 1911 AD – Westgate Water Tower is built.
• 1915 AD – Little Willie, the very first prototype military tank, developed by William Foster & Co. in Lincoln, is tested by the British Army. Lincoln played a huge role in tank development!
• 1916 AD – During World War I, German Zeppelins drop bombs near Lincoln.
• 1919 AD – Éamon de Valera, a famous Irish leader, escapes from Lincoln Prison.
• 1927 AD – The Usher Gallery opens, showcasing a collection of art and objects.
• 1929 AD – The electric trams stop running and are replaced by motor buses.
• 1932 AD – Lincoln Technical College is founded.
• World War II – Lincoln experiences German bombing, and 11 people are killed.
• 1958 AD – Pelham Bridge is opened, improving traffic flow in the city.
• 1969 AD – The Museum of Lincolnshire Life opens in former army barracks.
• 1973 AD – City Hall is built.
• 1974 AD – Lincoln's local government is reorganised. Lincoln Christ's Hospital School is formed by merging several schools.
• 1991 AD – The Waterside Shopping Centre opens.
• 1996 AD – The University of Lincolnshire and Humberside opens its Lincoln campus. Lincoln Minster School is also formed.

The 21st Century: New Beginnings

• 2001 AD – The university changes its name to the University of Lincoln and moves its main campus to Brayford Pool in Lincoln in 2002.
• 2005 AD – The Collection museum and art gallery opens.
• 2007 AD – Siren Radio (Siren_FM) begins broadcasting community radio.
• 2012 AD – Bishop Grosseteste University is granted full university status.
• 2017 AD – Lincoln City F.C. makes history by reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, a huge achievement for a non-league club!