Sunday 17 March 2019

The Lincoln Imp

Anyone who has lived in Lincoln will have heard of the Lincoln Imp - he is such a symbol of the city.    I grew up there and went to school within a stone's throw (literally) of the Cathedral and the Imp.   And, like many people who have lived there and have now moved away, I have a replica of him hanging on my kitchen wall.

He is not easy to spot if you walk round the Cathedral.   He is actually not far from the altar, but very high up and not all that obvious - you really have to look for him.   Gwil tells me they went recently to the Cathedral but were unable to find him.

So here, especially for you Gwil - and for anyone else who would like to hear the story - is today's post about the Lincoln Imp. 

 One day the devil, feeling in a good mood, decided to let all his imps out for a frolic.   First of all they stopped off at Chesterfield and twisted the spire of the church there.   Then some of them carried on to Lincoln, planning to create havoc in the Cathedral.   They sent the Dean flying, broke some stained glass and then, rising from a Bible left open on the altar, an angel stepped out and put a stop to it all saying he would turn them all to stone.  

Most of the imps escaped but one was a bit too slow and there he sits for ever, high up, not far from the altar, turned to stone for ever and there for all to see and reflect on their own sins.

20 comments:

Librarian said...

This was interesting and entertaining to read, Pat, thank you! I have never been to Lincoln and did not know about the Lincoln imp.

JayCee said...

What a wonderful story. He looks quite happy too.

Anonymous said...

I grew up near to Chesterfield and had never heard of it being linked to Lincoln in that way. The story I heard about the spire was that the Devil himself twisted it whilst swinging on it. There's also another tale that if a … erm … 'maiden' ever got married in the church then the spire would straighten itself out in shock!

Tom Stephenson said...

Everything was blamed on the devil or his cohorts in those days, eh?

Joanne Noragon said...

Stiff price for a last look around.

Heather said...

That is a lovely story and I have heard of the Lincoln Imp as he turns up occasionally in one or other of the antiques programmes on TV.

Sue said...

I haven't been inside the cathedral yet but I shall look for the imp when I do. Lovely to hear this story, thank you.

Sue in Suffolk said...

I didn't know of the story linking Chesterfield to Lincoln - interesting.
He's not exactly good looking is he?!

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

I went to college with a lad from Lincoln and he supported the local football team, also called the Imps. He would tell the story to anyone who enquired why they were so called. It all seems a bit tough on imps to me - it's bad enough being turned to stone, but now to be publicly shamed on the internet by a retired schoolteacher.....

justjill said...

One of my daughters lives near Lincoln. We visited the Cathedral and totally missed not only the Imp but the story. Will have to find out if daughter knew.

angryparsnip said...

What a wonderful story and I would love to try and find the Imp in the Cathedral.

cheers, parsnip

Bonnie said...

I enjoyed your story! I looked it up and found a picture of the little Imp frozen in time as he is!

Simon Douglas Thompson said...

He's rather terrifying

Chris said...

My Scottish Country Dance teacher composed a dance called "The Lincoln Imp" as her husband is from Lincoln and is a bit of an imp himself!

Mage said...

One of my grandfather's came from there, and I have a bronze imp. :)

Hildred said...

I have been to this beautiful Cathedral, - visited with some crew members on a Squadron Reunion and so was interested in visiting the Airmen's Chapel and marvel at the Bomber Command Memorial Windows. And so we missed the IMP.....

Hildred said...
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ss said...
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Cro Magnon said...

I used to know to hiding place of a rather saucy carving in Ely Cathedral. Very few people know it was there, and I used to show it to tourists! Someone suggested it must have been done at lunchtime, whilst the carver's boss was away.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks everyone for your comments.