Lincolnshire is a county located in the East Midlands of England. It covers an area of 2,364 square miles and has a population of around 800,000 people. It is bordered by Northamptonshire to the south, Cambridgeshire to the east, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, and South Yorkshire to the north.
Early History
The area that is now Lincolnshire was first settled during the Iron Age when it formed part of the pre-Roman British kingdom of Corieltauvi. During this time, several hillforts were created in what later became known as Lincolnshire including one at Ancaster. The Romans eventually invaded in AD 43 and their period of rule lasted until the 5th century.
The Middle Ages
At the time of the Norman Conquest, Lincolnshire was divided into two vast administrative regions known as Lindsey and Kesteven. These two areas were combined to form the county of Lincolnshire by William I in 1086. In 1130, King Henry I founded Lincoln Cathedral which is still standing today.
Modern History
Lincolnshire underwent major changes during the Industrial Revolution as it moved from being a largely rural area to an increasingly industrialised and urban one. Railways were built throughout the county, and several major ports such as Grimsby, Immingham and Boston grew in importance. In 1974 a major reorganisation of local government led to the current two-tier system in place today.
Notable People
Lincolnshire has been home to many notable people over the centuries including William Wordsworth (poet), Robert Herrick (poet), John Clare (poet) and Lord Bryon (poet). Other prominent figures include Guy Gibson (RAF pilot) and Alan Turing (computer scientist).
Culture and Leisure
Lincolnshire is renowned for its flat landscape, open skies and picturesque villages. It also has several notable monuments such as the Belton House stately home and the Lincoln Cathedral which dominate the skyline. There are many leisure activities available in the area including horse riding, walking, cycling, golf and bird watching.
