the earthquake of 15 april 1185 in the region of east midlands was one of the largest and most damaging earthquakes the british isles had ever encountered. the magnitude has been estimated at around 5 . some think the epicentre of the earthquake was close to nottingham in east midlands. the epicentre has also been suggested to be in or around lincolnshire. however, it could possibly be anywhere from dogger bank to the east midlands. some references talk of the earthquake happening somewhere offshore in the north sea east of northern england; its effects may have been felt as far away as norway.