Domesday is coming to Lincolnshire

The earliest surviving public record '“ the Domesday Book '“ will make a once-in-a-generation trip to Lincoln Castle as part of a major exhibition for 2017.
A Lincolnshire page in the Domesday Book. Picture: The National Archives UKA Lincolnshire page in the Domesday Book. Picture: The National Archives UK
A Lincolnshire page in the Domesday Book. Picture: The National Archives UK

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.

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.

Coun Nick Worth, executive councillor for heritage at Lincolnshire County Council, 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.

“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.”

Lord Cormack, chairman of the Historic Lincoln Trust, added: “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 the 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 and will tickets on sale soon from www.thecollectionmuseum.com.

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.