What is the Bail of Lincoln?

[Malcolm Bull]

I have encountered a Seely family who lived at 11 Bail of Lincoln in 1871.

Can anyone tell me anything about the Bail of Lincoln?  Was it a street or an institution?  Is it still there?

Malcolm Bull

[Davedrave]

I think it is Bail Gate because on the next page the street numbers follow on from this page and it is Bail Gate on that page.

It is here:

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16.8&lat=53.23625&lon=-0.53794&layers=6&b=1

[Davedrave]

White's History, Gazetteer & Directory of Lincolnshire, 1872:

14 Bail Gate, Robert Seely, Grocer

(from this website, you might find it useful:

https://specialcollections.le.ac.uk/digital/collection/p16445coll4/id/112387/ )

The road is still there with some old shop buildings which can be seen on Google street view. IF no. 14 of 1871 is still no. 14, the place is very likely still there.

Dave 

[Malcolm Bull]

Thank you for your help.  I noticed that Bail Gate followed but thought that the Bail was some important/significant building.

Best wishes and thanks again

Malcolm Bull

[Andy J2022]

According to Denise McHugh in her essay entitled Running an Unregulated Town: Strategies of Lincoln's Municipal Elite 1860 - 1910 published in Who Ran the Cities? eds Ralf Roth & Robert Beachy 2007 Ashgate:

The uphill area comprises the northern part of the city, on top of the Lincoln Cliff (to the north of the gap). This includes the historical quarter, including Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Castle and the Medieval Bishop's Palace, known locally as The Bail (though described in tourist literature as the Cathedral Quarter).

[AlanBoyd]

More evidence.

[hanes teulu]

TOWN PLANS LINCOLN
Surveyed 1885 - covering "The Bail" over 2 maps.

https://maps.nls.uk/view/229947930
https://maps.nls.uk/view/229947924

Note - Just checked Census. "Bail Passage" is marked on the map and is also listed on the Census between Nos 17 and 18 Bailgate. There are plenty of pubs on Bailgate, which are great reference points when pinpointing an address. But from what I've seen, the Census doesn't record pubs names on Bailgate.

[Davedrave]

He was at 14 Bail of Lincoln in the 1871 Census, not 11 as per original post (though it does look initially like 11 due to faint pen strokes). He was also listed at 14 Bail Gate in Kelly’s Post Office Directory of Lincoln of 1868.

[hanes teulu]

He's at No. 14 on the '61 Census - just 3 doors away from Bedford Passage. There isn't a Bedford Passage on the map already posted but there is a Bedford Court.

"Walking" Bail Gate on the '61 Census we pass "Bedford Court, Bail Passage and Lees Court" - all to be seen on the map going north.