The South Common, Lincoln's Southern Entrance

Lincoln Cathedral from the top of the South Common

Common Lands are a survival of the medieval age, commons were an essential part of the manorial estate, tenants of the lord of the manor would be allotted a part of the common.  Most of today's common lands are solely for grazing, but previously the land would have had many uses, ie, rights to take wood, graze pigs in the autumn, take sods for fuel.  Much of the common land of this country was lost at the enclosures, it was seen as an opportunity for landowners to claim common land for themselves.  The total common land today in this country totals no more than 4% of the total land area.

The South Common is one of three surviving common lands in Lincoln, the others are the West Common and the Cow Paddle.  The Lincoln commons are "owned by the Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of Lincoln".  Until 150 years ago there were two other commons, Monks Leys Common, the bulk of which was sold for housing and the remainder was used for the Arboretum; Holmes Common, this was sold to The Great Northern Railway.

Any householder living south of High Bridge had a right to graze cattle on the South Common, although Freemen had rights to graze a greater number.  The area of the common is approximately 180 acres, although may have been reduced because of the recent modifications on the hill section of Canwick Road.

---

The Promenade

In 1843 iron fencing was used to surround the South Common and at about the same time a new pathway was established which ran across the crest of the hill and was called the "Promenade", the picture to the right is a postcard that was posted in July 1909

At a location near the top of the common stood a cross, it was here that the mayor, sheriff and other civic dignitaries would greet important visitors to the City.  By 1600 the cross had been removed by "some evil disposed person", the corporation ordered that a stone be placed at the spot as a marker, this too has been lost.

At the south east corner of the South Common once stood the city gallows.

The first Roman legion is believed to have erected a fort on the South Common, it would have been a wooden palisade structure.  Ermine Street crossed the A15 just below Cross O' Cliff Close, running down the common, crossing South Park west of Queen's Park.  Ermine Street divided at the top of the common, a direct route so that troops could be moved quickly to any troublespot, and an easier route for carts, etc.

---

First published 17th May 2015

Where was the Bail Gate?

See revised blog at  https://itsaboutlincoln.blogspot.com/2020/02/did-bail-gate-stand-here.html Read more about Lincoln's Gates

A King's Crowning at St Mary's Guildhall

St Mary's Guildhall from the courtyard

Lincoln was a very important place during much of the medieval period, visited by kings throughout the medieval period, several parliaments were held here and King John visited on no less than six occasions.

Henry II visited in 1157 and held a crowning ceremony on Christmas Day at St Mary's Guildhall, which is believed to have been constructed for Henry as a royal townhouse. Henry probably used this second crowning as a way of securing the support of his noblemen prior to his departure for Flanders, where he was guardian of the lands of Dietrich of Alsace.  His Coronation had taken place in London on 19th December 1154.  

A medieval Christmas was a much different affair to Christmas today, the word Christmas is derived from the Saxon “Cristes Maesse”, meaning “Festival of Christ”, the Church ensured it was a true religious holiday, gift-giving was banned by the Church as a pagan custom and the tradition of outdoor carol singing began because the church would not allow carols to be sung in churches, the archaic meaning of the word carol is “to sing or dance in a circle”.

The rich would eat goose and venison on Christmas Day and, with the king's permission, swan; woodcock was another popular bird.  Turkey did not arrive in England until the mid 16th century. The poor would have a much meaner Christmas, their lord may donate the “humbles” or offal of his Christmas deer and they would eat "Humble pie".

A food that has come to us from this time is the mince pie, made with shredded or minced assorted meats, spices and fruit, the pie would be in the shape of Christ's crib.  It was considered lucky to eat one mince pie on each of the twelve days of Christmas.

December 25th was originally a pagan festival to celebrate the forthcoming better weather and longer days, first adopted by the Romans as "Saturnalia" and later by the Roman Catholic church as Christmas or, as it was sometimes known, Xmas, the X is the Greek letter for "Chi" and Christ.

Boxing Day was traditionally a time when the rich provided gifts for the poor, usually money in a pot with a slit in the top, these pots were called “piggies”.  Christmas day was a quarter day when rents were usually due, so this Boxing Day tradition was generally welcomed by the poor.

It's About Lincolnshire has its own group on Facebook where you can read about the county and contribute to the growing knowledge of our members or just read the posts. Click here to join the group.