Statues - Hither & Thither

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Minster Yard
(Cathedral)

Statues of Kings and Bishops at Lincoln Cathedral

Description

Lincoln Cathedral has eleven statues of seated kings above the main entrance, and six statues in niches on both sides of the main arch: two in the buttresses next to the entrance, two in the spandrels of the top arch and two in the lower part of the gable.
The Lincoln frieze has its own page.

Gallery of Kings

Traditionally, they are thought to represent the English Kings from William the Conqueror through Edward III. They all wear 14th century costume, and their head type is said to resemble that on the effigy on the tomb of Edward III in Westminster Abbey. Kendrick wrote that Edward III was "the sovereign on the throne when the figures were placed there by Treasurer John de Welburne (d. 1380); they are all bearded, very similar to one another, and of the tamest possible character. They were originally coloured and gilt."
Assuming that they are in chronological order from left to right, we added their names:

Lincoln - Statues of Kings and Bishops at Lincoln Cathedral
1. William the Conqueror, 1066-1087 (Wikipedia).
2. William II (Rufus), 1087-1100 (Wikipedia).
3. Henry I, 1100-1135 (Wikipedia).
4. Stephen, 1135-1154 (Wikipedia).

5. Henry II, 1154-1189 (Wikipedia).
6. Richard I the Lionheart, 1189-1199 (Wikipedia). Lincoln - Statues of Kings and Bishops at Lincoln Cathedral
7. John Lackland, 1199-1216 (Wikipedia).
8. Henry III, 1216-1272 (Wikipedia).

9. Edward I, 1272-1307 (Wikipedia).
10. Edward II, 1307-1327 (Wikipedia).
11. Edward III, 1327-1377 (Wikipedia).

Other statues

Two statues in the buttresses represent bishops.

Lincoln - Statues of Kings and Bishops at Lincoln Cathedral
Left
Right

The statues in the spandrel and gable niches represent kings.

Lincoln - Statues of Kings and Bishops at Lincoln Cathedral

Gable left.
Gable right.
Spandrel left.
Spandrel right.

NB: We missed the statues on the octagonal turrets on either side of the west facade, Bishop St. Hugh, with staff and mitre and the Swineherd of Stow.

Sculptor

Unknown medieval artist.

Sources & Information

Wikipedia, Lincoln Cathedral.
A.F. Kendrick, The Cathedral Church of Lincoln (London, 1928) (Online).
Images of medieval art and architecture, England: Lincoln Minster, Exterior Sculpture: "Gallery of Kings" on the West Facade.
Buttress, Conserving Lincoln Cathedral: The Gallery of Kings.

Locatie (N 53°14'3" - W 0°32'14") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: gbem060; Photograph: 26 June 2023
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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1. William the Conqueror, 1066-1087 (Wikipedia).	2. William II (Rufus), 1087-1100 (Wikipedia).	3. Henry I, 1100-1135 (Wikipedia).	4. Stephen, 1135-1154 (Wikipedia).
5. Henry II, 1154-1189 (Wikipedia).	6. Richard I the Lionheart, 1189-1199 (Wikipedia).	7. John Lackland, 1199-1216 (Wikipedia).	8. Henry III, 1216-1272 (Wikipedia).