Sculptor carves out a piece of history on tree stump in castle grounds

THE origins of Lincoln Castle and its turbulent early history have been embodied in a new sculpture carved from a felled tree stump.

Local artist Helena Stylianides is responsible for the carved artwork in the castle grounds.

It rewinds the clock to the days of Norman conquerors, rebel barons and bloody battles for the throne.

Ms Stylianides, 50, of Lincoln, said: "All the people on the stump were once here at the castle.

"They all visited or lived at the castle."

The sculptor, along with other artists, had put forward a proposal of how she would incorporate history and involve local school children in her bid to transform the tree stump.

She said: "The work is based on my project with local schools and a lot of research done on the history of the castle.

"It's the first battle of Lincoln I was focusing on, basically from when the castle was founded in 1068 by William the Conqueror."

The carving of William the Conqueror is taken from images of him on the Bayeux Tapestry in France.

And he is just one of six figures, as well as 13th century sheriff of Lincolnshire Nicholaa de la Haye, illustrated in the carving.

Kim Walshaw, site co-ordinator at the castle, said: "We chose Helena because she had worked on similar scale carvings in the past. We also liked her suggestion of working with pupils from local schools and using their ideas as inspiration for the final sculpture."

The artist carried out workshops with St Faith and St Martin and Westgate junior schools at the end of last year. Pupils had produced clay models of what they thought the stump should be turned into, including Lucy Tower and historic figures.

Ms Walshaw said: "We love how the sculpture draws upon key features and characters from the castle's past. Key figures include William the Conqueror, Empress Matilda and King John. We are now working with the castle guides to produce some interpretation to stand alongside the tree stump."

Nick Batch, a member of Friends of the Castle and a tour guide, said: "The tours are about an hour and a half long and we only scratch the surface.

"When people see William the Conqueror on the stump and hear it was his idea to build the castle, I really think they will want to go away and find out more."