The Lincoln Imp

The Lincoln Imp is the symbol of the City of Lincoln.

According to a 14th-century legend, two mischievous imps were sent by Satan to do evil work on Earth. After causing mayhem in Northern England they proceeded to Lincoln Cathedral, where they smashed tables and chairs and tripped up the Bishop. When an angel came out of a book of hymns and told them to stop, one of the imps was brave and started throwing rocks at the angel, but the other cowered under the broken tables and chairs. The angel turned the first imp to stone, giving the second imp a chance to escape.

There are many variations on Lincoln Imp legends. According to one popular version, the escaped imp was turned to stone just outside Lincoln Cathedral, where sharp-eyed visitors can spot it on a South outside wall.

Another legend says this imp fled north to Grimsby, where it repeated its behaviour in St James' Church. The angel then reappeared and gave the imp's backside a good thrashing before turning it to stone like its friend. The "Grimsby Imp" can still be seen in St James' Church, clinging to its sore bottom.

Lincoln City Football Club is nicknamed "The Imps", and its crest flaunts an image of the Lincoln Imp. The club's mascot is named “Poacher the Imp”.

The Lincoln Imp has also made its mark further afield. For example, the Imp is the badge of No. LXI Squadron RAF, which fought in the two World Wars.

Also, an 1899 reproduction of the Lincoln Imp used to sit above the entrance to Lincoln College, Oxford, overlooking the Front Quad. In 2000 it was transferred to Deep Hall (the college bar) and replaced by another imp. This has given rise to a traditional Oxford expression: “to look on someone like the Imp looks over Lincoln”, as well as inspiring the title of the college's undergraduate newspaper, The Lincoln Imp. The Lincoln Imp is also mascot of the college boat club, an image of which is used to decorate the oars and jerseys of the men's 1st VIII.