The mortar consists of hard building lime with an admixture of fine gravel.

According to G. H. Cook's "Portrait of Lincoln Cathedral," one account states that Bishop Hugh "oftentimes bore the hod-load of hewn stone or of building lime."

During the construction of the new choir at Lincoln, 1191-1200, the work of the lay master-mason, Geoffrey de Noiers, the Bishop, Hugh the Burgundian, 'oftentimes bore the hod-load of hewn stone or of building lime'.