Lincoln had grown to be one of…

Lincoln had grown to be one of the wealthiest towns in England by 1150.

The basis of the economy is cloth and wool, exported to Flanders; Lincoln weavers had set up a guild in 1130 to produce Lincoln Cloth, especially the fine dyed 'scarlet' and 'green', the reputation of which will later be enhanced by Robin Hood wearing woolens of Lincoln green.

The bishops of Lincoln are among the magnates of medieval England: Lincolnshire, the largest diocese, has more monasteries than the rest of England put together, and the diocese is supported by large estates outside the county.

Lincoln is home to one of the five most important Jewish communities in England, well established before it is officially noted in 1154.