41575
On the left the Grade II Listed 21 & 22 Steep Hill known as The Harlequin, and on the right 42 Michaelgate, in Lincoln, Lincolnshire.
The origins of Lincoln date back to when Romans built a fortress high on a hill overlooking what is now known as Brayford Pool, for which it is presumed to have been named Lindon, meaning “The Pool”, by its earlier Celtic inhabitants.
Evidence from Roman tombstones suggests that Lincoln was first garrisoned by the Ninth Legion, Hispana which probably moved from Lincoln to found the fortress at York around 71 AD Lindum was then garrisoned by the Second Legion Aduitrix, which then went on to Chester in 77-78 AD
Probably under the reign of Domitian and most likely after 86 AD, the fortress became a colonia, a settlement for retired soldiers sanctioned by the Emperor. The colonia now developed and a second enclosure, often referred to as the ‘‘Lower Colonia’’ was added between the Upper Colonia and the River Witham.
The city underwent an extensive and extraordinary public works plan that included a forum, basilica, baths, temples and even an aqueduct and a series of pipes that brought water into Lincoln. The military fortifications were strengthened with stone walls and extended south and downhill, almost to the northern banks of River Witham.
This river was an essential route that linked Lincoln to The Wash and River Till, and was a busy place used for trading. The river was deepened to make Lincoln accessible to ships, and the Fossdyke was dug to link the River Witham to River Trent. During this time people also settled beyond the city’s fortified walls. A large suburb stretched to a kilometer south of the river down the Fosse Way and Ermine Street, a major Roman road that connected Lincoln to London and York.
The walls of the Upper Colonia started to be built in the earlier part of the 2nd century AD, while the Lower Colonia was walled later in the century.
In the early 3rd century AD with the re-organisation of the Roman Empire, a case can be made that Lindum Colonia had become the provincial capital of Britannia Secunda and possibly a Bishop from Lincoln was present at the Council of Arles in 314.
The settlement flourished and it is is believed to have had a population numbering in the thousands. People gathered together in the forum, or marketplace, which was lined with shops. The Roman baths were also popular as a place to socialise, there is also increasing evidence for Christianity being worshiped. However, Lincoln and its waterways fell into decline in the early 4th century, and the city was largely deserted by the end of the 5th century.
Information sources:
www.lincolnshire.org/roman-lincoln/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindum_Colonia
www.heritageconnectlincoln.com/character-area/bailgate-an...
www.heritageconnectlincoln.com/character-area/steep-hill-...
41575
On the left the Grade II Listed 21 & 22 Steep Hill known as The Harlequin, and on the right 42 Michaelgate, in Lincoln, Lincolnshire.
The origins of Lincoln date back to when Romans built a fortress high on a hill overlooking what is now known as Brayford Pool, for which it is presumed to have been named Lindon, meaning “The Pool”, by its earlier Celtic inhabitants.
Evidence from Roman tombstones suggests that Lincoln was first garrisoned by the Ninth Legion, Hispana which probably moved from Lincoln to found the fortress at York around 71 AD Lindum was then garrisoned by the Second Legion Aduitrix, which then went on to Chester in 77-78 AD
Probably under the reign of Domitian and most likely after 86 AD, the fortress became a colonia, a settlement for retired soldiers sanctioned by the Emperor. The colonia now developed and a second enclosure, often referred to as the ‘‘Lower Colonia’’ was added between the Upper Colonia and the River Witham.
The city underwent an extensive and extraordinary public works plan that included a forum, basilica, baths, temples and even an aqueduct and a series of pipes that brought water into Lincoln. The military fortifications were strengthened with stone walls and extended south and downhill, almost to the northern banks of River Witham.
This river was an essential route that linked Lincoln to The Wash and River Till, and was a busy place used for trading. The river was deepened to make Lincoln accessible to ships, and the Fossdyke was dug to link the River Witham to River Trent. During this time people also settled beyond the city’s fortified walls. A large suburb stretched to a kilometer south of the river down the Fosse Way and Ermine Street, a major Roman road that connected Lincoln to London and York.
The walls of the Upper Colonia started to be built in the earlier part of the 2nd century AD, while the Lower Colonia was walled later in the century.
In the early 3rd century AD with the re-organisation of the Roman Empire, a case can be made that Lindum Colonia had become the provincial capital of Britannia Secunda and possibly a Bishop from Lincoln was present at the Council of Arles in 314.
The settlement flourished and it is is believed to have had a population numbering in the thousands. People gathered together in the forum, or marketplace, which was lined with shops. The Roman baths were also popular as a place to socialise, there is also increasing evidence for Christianity being worshiped. However, Lincoln and its waterways fell into decline in the early 4th century, and the city was largely deserted by the end of the 5th century.
Information sources:
www.lincolnshire.org/roman-lincoln/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindum_Colonia
www.heritageconnectlincoln.com/character-area/bailgate-an...
www.heritageconnectlincoln.com/character-area/steep-hill-...