Note 501 — Chapter VII · THE CASTLES OF THE NORMANS IN ENGLAND (continued 2)

Stephen gave Ralph the castle and city of Lincoln, and gave him leave to fortify one of the towers in Lincoln Castle, and have command of it until the king should deliver to him the castle of Tickhill; then the king was to have the city and castle of Lincoln again, excepting the earl’s own tower, which his mother had fortified. His mother was Lucy, daughter of Ivo Taillebois; and as the principal tower was known as the Luce Tower, the masonry may have been her work. In that case the Norman work on the smaller motte may be due to Ralph Gernon, and may possibly be the nova turris which was repaired in John’s reign. Pipe Roll, 2 John. Stephen’s charter is in Farrer’s Lancashire Pipe Rolls.