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Lincoln, Lincolnshire (England)

English City

Last modified: 2024-08-10 by rob raeside
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[Flag of Lincoln] image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 16 October 2005


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Introduction: The City of Lincoln

The City of Lincoln is the County Seat (county town) of Lincolnshire. It dates back to the Roman Colonia Domitiana Lindensium and the Iron Age settlement that existed by the River Witham in the 1st Century BC. Today the city's landmarks include the English Gothic Lincoln Cathedral (for 200 years the tallest building in the world), and the Lincoln Castle built by the Normans in the 11th Century. The city is also the home to the University of Lincoln.
After the fierce fighting in Lincoln's streets in 1141 between King Stephen and the forces of Empress Matilda almost destroyed the town, Lincoln recovered and grew to be one of the wealthiest towns in England. This was because of the cloth and wool industry. By 1130 Lincoln weavers had established a guild to produce "Lincoln Cloth" - the dyed cloth of red (scarlet) or forest green, later was made part of the Robin Hood legend and his "merry bands" clothing of Lincoln green.
The Industrial Revolution saw a transition from from a cottage business economy to an industrial economy for Lincoln. Coupled with the arrival of railroads and workers, Lincoln became a manufacturing centre. Because of its location permanent military barracks were established in the city between 1857 and 1890 for the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment. In the first World Wars, Lincoln switched to war production. The first ever tanks were invented, designed and built in Lincoln. During the Second World War, Lincoln produced a vast array of war goods: tanks, aircraft, munitions and military vehicles.
Today Lincoln is considered the cultural hub of Lincolnshire, with its many museums, galleries, and theatres throughout the city. Centred around the main attractions of its cathedral and castle, the city with its historic buildings and attractions has become a major tourist destination.
Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020


About the Flag

The cross of Saint George (a symmetrical red cross constructed by horizontally and vertically bisecting a white ground) is familiar enough. The Lincoln City flag starts from this point. Adorning this is a central Fleur-de-lys (lily) in yellow or gold. The use of the lily harks back to a time when Lincoln was primarily Catholic and the great Cathedral of Lincoln was Catholic (it is now Church of England). The lily symbolizes the Virgin Mary. The flag itself, is rarely seen anywhere else apart from flying on the mast above the Mayor's Chambers in the City.
Allister Garrod, 6 February 2003


City of Lincoln Arms

[Arms of City of Lincoln, England] image by Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020

Interestingly enough, there is no record that these arms have been officially granted, but they are recorded at the College of Arms. They date back to the early 1300s (14th Century). The cross is probably derived from the Diocese of Lincoln. The fleur-de-lis is the symbol for the St. Mary, the patron saint of the city. When matched with the Arms motto, or mottos, we get an interesting result. A direct translation of fleur-de-lis would be "Flower of the lily". The translation of floreat lindum would be "let the Linden Tree or Lime Tree Bloom", and I'm not quite sure what that is all about. My image leaves out both the mottos which would appear below the shield if used.
Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020

Official Blazon

  • Arms: Argent on a Cross Gules a Fleur-de-Lis Or.
  • Motto: CIVITAS LINCOLNIA (Lincoln City), the motto FLOREAT LINDUM (let the linden flourish) is also sometimes used.
Source: Heraldry of the World: Lincoln.
Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020

City of Lincoln Council Flag

[City of Lincoln Council, England] image by Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020

The Lincoln City Council uses a "coat of Arms" - a shield-shaped version of the City flag as their logo.
Allister Garrod, 6 February 2003

The Lincoln City Council makes laws, budgets city money, and has authority to investigate city agencies and employees. The Lincoln City Council has seven members, four from equally populated districts and three elected at large. Although it has no registered official flag this has been reported in use with the city logo placed on a white field with the words "City of Lincoln Council" placed to the right.
Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020


Diocese of Lincoln Flag
Church of England

[Diocese of Lincoln, Church of England] image by Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020

Although the the Diocese of Lincoln covers the whole ceremonial county of Lincolnshire, St Mary's Church, or the Lincoln Cathedral (completed in 1092), is still considered by many residents as the traditional seat of the Diocese of Lincoln. The modern Church of England's diocese can actually trace its roots back to the pre-Reformation Roman Catholic diocese established in 679, if they care to.
Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020


University of Lincoln

University Logo

[logo of University of Lincoln] image provided by Chris Goddard, 7 August 2012

The University of Lincoln has recently been rebranded and changed its logo. The old Minerva logo is being replaced with the new Crest.
Chris Goddard, 7 August 2012

Current University Logo Flag

[logo of University of Lincoln] image by Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020

Over the years variants of the logo flag were reported usually on a light blue or white background ranging in shape from square to rectangular, for both horizontal or vertical display.
"The University of Lincoln's logo is a registered trademark and an official coat of arms granted Letters Patent by the College of Arms, the official heraldic authority for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and much of the Commonwealth. The coat of arms, along with the University's motto, "Libertas per Sapientiam", which translates from Latin as "Liberty through Wisdom", are key components of the University's corporate identity." (source)
Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020

Previous Minerva Logo Flag

[Flag of University of Lincoln] located by Jan Mertens, 5 July 2008

The flag is seen in use at http://www.ulcareers.co.uk/ in front of the cathedral. The university web page notes the elements are placed in an invisible square and the head is coloured as Pantone 398 with black lettering.
From http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/identity/why.htm:
[The] logo sets out to capture the spirit of the new university. It is Minerva, Roman goddess of wisdom and knowledge. There are three reasons why we have chosen this symbol. The first is that education is about people. As a new university, our spirit is almost wholly embodied in our staff, our students and the community we serve. Most other places of learning express themselves with lions, swords, books, winged birds: the encrustation of long dead noble families. Minerva is symbolic of a powerful, independent and shrewd individual. The second is the link with the Romans who settled in Lincoln in the 1st Century AD. They built their capital for eastern England at Lindon, 'the place by the pool', and renamed it Lindum Colonia. The Romans always revered the inventive and resourceful Minerva whose name is thought to derive from 'mens', the word for mind. The third is Minerva's role as a teacher. In Homer's Odyssey - where she appears as Athena, her Greek name - she disguises herself as a man called Mentor and advises Odysseus' son, Telemachus. Mentor has entered our language as the word for a wise and sympathetic guide.
Jan Mertens, 5 July 2008

University of Lincoln Coat of Arms

[University of Lincoln Coat of Arms] image by Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020

On the University of Lincoln website it states:

  • Crest: On the top of a Gothic tower is a peregrine falcon.
    Rationale: The tower is a visual reference to the towers of Lincoln Cathedral, and thus to the history of the City, and of ecclesiastical learning there. It also refers to culture more generally. The prospect from the top of a tower alludes to strength of vision, to adventure. The peregrine falcon alludes to the birds which nest in the tower, but also to strength and flight, so important to Lincolnshire as RAF County. The falcon also represents far-sightedness and preparedness for office or important work.
  • Supporters: To either side of the shield, a swan, that to the left looking right, that to the right looking left, and each holding in their beak a fleur de lys.
    Rationale: The swan is a reference to the fauna of Lincolnshire and alludes to St Hugh of Lincoln. It is a strong, self-confident and graceful bird, which typically mates for life. The two swans here are in partnership to support the shield. The fleur de lys is a stylized flower related to the iris and lily, the latter of which in particular are associated with water. Its use here alludes to the coat of Arms of the City of Lincoln; this itself probably refers to the Cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It long predates heraldry and is found in many cultures around the world and for millennia. It symbolizes the history of world cultures, and internationalism.
  • Badge: A fleur de lys intertwined with an embattled annulet (rather like a cogwheel).
    Rationale: The symbolism of the fleur de lys, and its importance in relation to the Arms of the City of Lincoln, is mentioned above. The embattled annulet or cogwheel refers to the engineering heritage and history of Lincoln; more widely to industry, commerce. Symbolically the device can be taken to mean work and endeavour.
Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020


Royal Lincolnshire Regiment
Commercial Flag

[Royal Lincolnshire Regimen] image by Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020

In 1873 the "old barracks" in Lincoln were built for the Lincolnshire Regiment to become the permanent home for the military unit. Later newer barracks were built for them known as the Sobraon Barracks, but still in Lincoln. Through the years their name has been changed several times during military reorganizations, but their headquarters and home have always stayed in Lincoln. They have served in many wars and skirmishes over the years, including the American Revolution, with distinction. They have been known as the 2nd East Anglian Regiment (Duchess of Gloucester's Own Royal Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire), the 3rd East Anglian Regiment (16th/44th Foot), the 3rd (Royal North Lincolnshire Militia) Battalion, and the Royal Anglian Regiment, to name a few, but locally always the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment. Their insignia is sphinx from their campaigns in Egypt, and currently, the 674 Squadron of the Army Air Corps uses the Sphinx as an emblem within their crest to honor their connection with the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment. A long proud military heritage indeed.
It should be noted that this particular flag is sold commercially and not in anyway the official colors of the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment.
Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020


Lincoln District Scout Band

[Flag of Lincoln District Scout Band]

The Lincoln District Scout Band is one of the 120 Scout Bands in the UK. It was established just over 20 yrs ago, and is the only Scout Band in the County of Lincolnshire. We have fun playing good music and the Scouts enjoy performing at Parades, carnivals, shows, etc.
The flag ground is scarlet (the colour of our Band Neckerchiefs) with our familiar (to those who know us) traditional crossed drumsticks, overlaid with the image of an infantry bugle (The band began as a drum & bugle corps, although we play bugles less often today, we concentrate on more melodic music in full harmony). The logo is flanked by the Scout Arrowhead and the Guide Trefoil (as we accept Guides into the band too).
Allister Garrod, Bandmaster, 24 July 2002


Lincoln City Football Club

[Lincoln City Football Club] image by Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020
The shield is based on this image of their team logo.

The Lincoln City Football Club is a professional football club based in the city of Lincoln. Nicknamed the "Imps" after the legend of the Lincoln Imp, the team dates back to 1884. Traditionally they play in red and white striped shirts with black shorts and red and white socks.
Pete Loeser, 22 October 2020