Lancelot Errington (died 1746) was an English mariner and Jacobite supporter, known primarily for his role in the Jacobite Rising of 1715. He is documented in historical accounts for his seizure of Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island.
In October 1715, during the early stages of the Jacobite rebellion aimed at restoring the House of Stuart to the British throne, Errington and his nephew, Mark Errington, executed a plan to capture the fortification at Lindisfarne. On October 10, Errington requested entry to the castle under the pretext of needing assistance with his ship's sails. At the time, the castle was defended by a small detachment of government soldiers. Historical records state that Errington and his nephew successfully overwhelmed the garrison and took control of the site, intending to use it as a signal station for a planned French landing or reinforcements.
The occupation lasted approximately one day. On October 11, a detachment of government troops from Berwick-upon-Tweed arrived to retake the castle. Lancelot and Mark Errington were forced to flee but were eventually captured and imprisoned in Berwick.
Following their imprisonment, the Erringtons managed to escape from Berwick's gaol by tunneling under the prison walls. They reportedly fled to the European continent or remained in hiding until the cessation of hostilities. Lancelot Errington eventually returned to Northumbria and resided in Newcastle upon Tyne, where he died in 1746. His actions remain a documented event in the local history of Northumberland and the broader military history of the Jacobite Risings.
