This early May bank holiday weekend the Festival of History will be taking place across Lincoln. It’s a chance to explore Lincoln from a new perspective, as the history of the city is brought to life like never before.
Join us at the Cathedral where we have a wide range of activities taking place throughout the weekend and showcasing many different eras from the Cathedral’s 1,000 year history.
You can find out more about the festival of history at https://www.visitlincoln.com/lincoln-festival-of-history/
Meet the Lincoln Longwool Sheep
Saturday 3 May to Monday 5 May
Join us on the grass in front of the Cathedral as we celebrate part of Lincolnshire’s agricultural heritage, as you meet some of the county’s famous breed of sheep – the Lincoln Longwool.
This breed of sheep dates back to the Roman period and is the largest of British sheep, developed specifically to produce the heaviest, longest and most lustrous fleece of any breed in the world.
Exhibition – A Right Royal Heist
Starting Saturday 3 May
In 1536 an inventory of all jewels, vestments and other ornaments in Lincoln Cathedral was written. This later became the shopping list for Henry VIII, who removed these great treasures, which were never seen again!
The 1536 inventory has survived for more than 400 years and is now the inspiration for a new exhibition at Lincoln Cathedral.
Inspired by these stolen objects, local artists have created unique pieces which express various aspects of the items themselves, the motivation of the donor and the context of the time.
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Meet the Masons
Saturday 3 to Monday 5 May
Our stonemasons are on hand on the green at the front of the Cathedral, ready to answer any questions you have about their work and the Cathedral.
There’ll be demonstrations of stone carving throughout the weekend and you can learn more about the specialist skills that help to keep the Cathedral standing. You’ll spot them in their 1920s dress as they celebrate the work of stonemasons past and present.
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The Tudors are Coming!
Saturday 3 May, 10am – 4pm
Join us in the Nave for a day of family fun!
Travel back in time to 1541 when Henry VIII and Katherine Howard visited Lincoln. There’ll be talks from ‘Henry VIII’, costumes to see and dress up in, you can decorate banquet biscuits and make hats and crowns.
Music by ‘de Mobray Musicke’ will create a Tudor atmosphere and we can’t wait to welcome you!
Historic Graffiti Tour
Saturday 3 May, 1.30pm
Who would imagine that a world-class heritage site and important church like Lincoln Cathedral would be covered in graffiti? And yet a recent Historic Graffiti Survey revealed almost 3,000 marks in the ground floor areas alone!
Join us on our Historic Graffiti Tour to gain an insight into the hopes, fears and beliefs of the ordinary people who have gone before us and found it necessary to leave their mark as inscriptions on the fabric of this magnificent building.
Spaces are limited, so booking is essential – follow the link below to book your place.
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Evensong – The Terrible Tudors
Saturday 3 May, 5.30pm
Come and experience living history at Choral Evensong – a service which has been taking place for around 500 years.
Each evening, our Cathedral Choir will be singing music from different periods of history and we invite you to come and enjoy these reflective services in the beautiful surrounds of our ancient building.
Sung Eucharist – The Vile Victorians
Sunday 4 May, 10.30am
Every Sunday our Sung Eucharist service takes place in the Cathedral, as it has done for hundreds of years – a true piece of living history.
We welcome you to join us during the Festival of History (and every week!), as our Cathedral Choristers perform music written during the Victorian era.
Evensong – The Vile Victorians
Sunday 4 May, 3.45pm
Our Choral Evensong service on Sunday has a Victorian theme, with the choir performing music from that period.
We welcome you to join us for Evensong, not just during the Festival of History, but on any day during the year, when you can take part in a service which has been part of the rhythm of daily life at the Cathedral for centuries.
Mystery Plays
Sunday 4 May, 6pm
Come along to the nave of the Cathedral and be intrigued, entertained and, above all, uplifted by the Lincoln Mystery Plays production of the Resurrection Plays which are a medieval take on the events of the days immediately following Jesus’ death on the cross.
Dating back to around 1450 and performed in modern translation, these incredible medieval plays continue to be resonant, relevant and moving.
The one-hour performance includes medieval music and costumes.
No tickets are required but Lincoln Mystery Plays will be most grateful for any donations you are able to make towards their charity.
VE80 Tea Dance
Monday 5 May, 1.30pm
Celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE day, with this 1940s-themed tea dance. There’ll be music from DJ Dr Swing and the Blighty Belles, a 1940’s tribute trio. The afternoon will include sessions to learn the steps, and then time to dance, as we all as the opportunity to add an afternoon tea. Dressing up in a 1940s style is fully encouraged.
Evensong – The Post War Period
Monday 5 May, 5.30pm
Come and experience living history at Choral Evensong – a service which has been taking place for around 500 years. Each evening, our Cathedral Choristers will be singing music from different periods of history and we invite you to come and enjoy these reflective services in the beautiful surrounds of our ancient building.
VE80 Dinner Dance
Monday 5 May, 7.30pm
DJ Dr Swing, a specialised 1940’s vinyl DJ, and Blighty Belles, return in the evening for a dinner dance. The dinner will feature a ration book inspired menu with a nod towards the cooking styles and food availability of the era, and will be followed by an upbeat set from the Blighty Belles for all to enjoy. You can purchase tickets for either the dinner and dance, or just for the dance itself.
