Domesday comes to Lincoln Castle

The earliest surviving public record '“ the Domesday Book '“ will make a once-in-a-generation trip to Lincoln Castle this summer as part of a major exhibition for 2017.
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Domesday Book EMN-170318-222737001

The iconic document was commissioned in 1086 by William the Conqueror following his successful invasion 20 years earlier. Domesday gave the king a picture of his realm by recording the taxable value and resources of all the boroughs and manors in England.

The document will be on loan to Lincoln Castle from its permanent home at The National Archives, London and on display in the Magna Carta vault from May 27 to September 3. Domesday will be one of a number of local and national treasures showcased as part of Battles and Dynasties, an exhibition brought together by Lincolnshire County Council, Lord Cormack and the Historic Lincoln Trust.

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Coun Nick Worth, executive councillor for heritage, said: “This is an unmissable chance for visitors to see the book within the grounds of a castle built by the same king that ordered it to be written.

Domesday Book EMN-170318-222725001Domesday Book EMN-170318-222725001
Domesday Book EMN-170318-222725001

“Following the investment in Lincoln Castle and The Collection, we’re lucky to have the state-of-the-art conditions to display special items like this here in Lincoln.

“I’d like to thank all the staff in the heritage service that have been working very hard with our partners to make this happen.”

The Domesday Book will be included as part of the Lincoln Castle all-inclusive ticket, which also includes Magna Carta, the Medieval Wall Walk and the Victorian Prison.

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Adults £12, concessions £9.60, child £7.20 and under 5s free.

Domesday Book EMN-170318-222725001Domesday Book EMN-170318-222725001
Domesday Book EMN-170318-222725001

You can buy your ticket at www.lincolncastle.com and receive a 10% discount for booking online.

Jeff James, Chief Executive and Keeper at The National Archives said: “There simply is no other document like Domesday. It is our nation’s earliest, most important and most treasured public record, a work of the greatest historic significance.

“It offers an insight into life and society in England more than 900 years ago and just as importantly it still has the power to engage and inform us today.

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“As a national institution we are delighted that the most iconic public record is going out to the public, allowing visitors a unique opportunity to view it as part of a fascinating exhibition in the fine medieval surroundings of Lincoln Castle this summer.”

Lord Cormack, chairman of the Historic Lincoln Trust, said: “This will be a very special exhibition with major works of art and manuscripts which have never been seen together before. I am particularly thrilled that Domesday Book which is the single most important item in our national archive, and which records the Lincolnshire of 1086 in meticulous detail, will be on display in the David PJ Ross Magna Carta Vault.

“I am most grateful to Mr Ross and to other generous sponsors for making this historic exhibition possible.”

The full Battles and Dynasties exhibition will be shown at The Collection in Lincoln, tickets on sale soon from www.thecollectionmuseum.com.

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Battles and Dynasties has been brought together by Lincolnshire County Council and Lord Cormack in partnership with the Historic Lincoln Trust, The National Archives, the British Library and the Royal Collection.

This exhibition has been made possible as a result of the Government Indemnity Scheme. Lincolnshire County Council would like to thank HM Government for providing Government Indemnity and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England for arranging the indemnity.