Lincoln Cathedral Cloister

Abstract

Lincoln cathedral's cloister dates from the late 13th century, with one range rebuilt in 1674 by Wren. It serves to provide access to the chapter-house which was already standing by the time of its construction. The current appearance of the cloister can, in part, be attributed to a 19th-century restoration by Pearson, who incorporated parts of the earlier corridor, which the cloister builder had demolished, in the later work. The evidence for this earlier structure is assessed and the role of the cloister, and its antecedents, is examined.