NIGHTBRINGER | The Arthurian Encyclopedia

Lindsey

Linnuis, Lindsege

Lindsey is one of the traditional divisions of Lincolnshire, England.

The northernmost province of Lincolnshire, this petty Anglo-Saxon kingdom was absorbed into Northumbria in the seventh century. Its name means ‘Island of Lincoln’.

In Renaut de Bâgé’s Le Bel Inconnu, one of the Yvains is noted as the King of Lindsey. Pierre de Langtoft gives it as Lot’s kingdom, which is usually Lothian. Nennius may mean Lindsey when he places four of Arthur’s battles against the Saxons in Linnuis.


Lindsey | 0 to 900 AD

Roman Period | 1st to 5th centuries AD
The area that would later become Lindsey was part of the Roman province of Britannia. The Romans established the town of Lindum Colonia (modern-day Lincoln) as a Roman settlement in the first century. This town became an important administrative and trading center, with a fortress and other structures. Roman roads and infrastructure were built in the region, contributing to its development and connectivity.

Anglo-Saxon Settlement | 5th to 7th centuries AD
After the decline of Roman rule in Britain in the fifth century, the Anglo-Saxons began to settle in the area, including Lindsey. The Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Lindsey emerged in this region, likely during the sixth century. The region was also influenced by the early spread of Christianity during this period. At various points, Lindsey was integrated into Northumbria, an Anglo-Saxon kingdom that covered a significant portion of northern England.

Viking Invasions and Danelaw | 8th to 9th centuries AD
In the late eighth and ninth centuries, Viking invasions and settlements in England led to the incorporation of Lindsey into the Danelaw, a Viking-dominated region with its own legal and political structure. Viking influence and control affected governance, culture, and trade in Lindsey.

Integration into the Kingdom of England | 10th century AD
During the reign of King Edward the Elder in the late ninth and early tenth centuries, Lindsey was brought under the control of the Kingdom of England, marking its integration into a unified English kingdom. The administrative structure of Lindsey was likely reorganized during this period as part of the larger kingdom.


Sources
Le Bel Inconnu | Renaut de Bâgé, 1185–1190
The Chronicle of Pierre de Langtoft | Pierre de Langtoft, c. 1300-1307