Lincoln, England up to above sea level in the uphill area around the cathedral. Lincoln is situated at an elevation of above sea level, in a gap in the Lincoln Cliff (a major escarpment that runs north–south through Lindsey and Kesteven, in central Lincolnshire and rises to an altitude of in height). The city lies on the River Witham, which flows through this gap. Lincoln is thus divided informally into two zones, known unofficially as uphill and downhill, with uphill at above sea level in the area near Lincoln Cathedral, and downhill at above sea level, by the River Witham. The uphill
Lincoln, England its own right known as the County of the City of Lincoln. Thereafter, various additional rights being conferred on the town by successive monarchs, including those of an assay town (which controlled metal manufacturing, for example). The oldest surviving secular drama in English, "The Interlude of the Student and the Girl" (c. 1300), may have originated from Lincoln. Lincoln's coat of arms, not officially endorsed by the College of Arms, is believed to date from the 14th century. It is "Argent on a cross gules a fleur-de-lis or". The cross is believed to be derived from the Diocese of Lincoln,