Leicester City

The start of Leicester's history is unsure but it is known that the ancient tribe of Corieltauvi lived in the city; the city was the central hub of the East Midlands at this time.

When the Romans invaded England they renamed the city of Leicester Ratae Corieltauvorum in fifty AD. To the Romans Ratae Corieltauvorum was an extremely important town as it is in the centre of the country. Ratae Corieltauvorum became one of Roman England's largest towns and a huge trading place.

Saxon and Viking England (5th to 6th centuries) saw the history of Leicester become sketchy at best as not much information is evident from this period. It is known that Leicester became a fortified Viking town and was ruled by Danelaw (The laws set by the Vikings).

From the sixth to the tenth century's information is lost about the city but we do know that during this period the start of the name Leicester began with people calling the city Ligeraceaster. Ligeraceaster means the town of the Ligor people because the River Soar which runs through the city was once called the Ligor River.

During the eleventh century Leicester saw the Normans move in to the city and a castle was built, called Leicester Castle. The doomsday book that was created during this period also gave Leicester (Written Ledecestre then) the title of City (Civitas).

It was also during this period that St. Mary de Castro church and St. Margaret's Church were both built in the city and can still be seen today.

In the late fifteenth century King Richard III died at the battle of Bosworth in the county of Leicestershire, upon his death his body was bought in to the city of Leicester and buried. Although his tomb is at the central nave of St. Martins Church (Now Leicester Cathedral), King Richard the third was buried in Greyfriars church.

Old folklore legend does say that King Richard was dug up from his resting place under the orders of King Henry the seventh and thrown in to the River Soar, today a plaque is on a bridge over the river next to King Richard III Road where it is said his body was thrown.

The city of Leicester also holds an important place in the building of Parliament in England as the first Parliament of England was held in Leicester Castle in 1265 after the 6th Earl of Leicester, Simon de Montfort, pushed King Henry III to do so.

In Tudor times Thomas Cardinal Wolsey was an important English Statesman and had grown in the confidence of the English King Henry VIII, but when Henry VIII decided he wished to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon to marry Anne Boleyn, Wolsey who was the International diplomat fell foul to wars of words between King Henry VIII and the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Henry VIII stripped Wolsey of his titles and upon travelling to York Wolsey was arrested on accusations of treason.

As he was arrested for treason he was to be taken back to London for trial but on the way Thomas Cardinal Wolsey died and was buried in an insignificant tomb in Abbey Park, this can still be seen today.

Lady Jane Grey, also known as Jane of England was born in Leicester in 1537 and became the Queen Regnant of England in July 1553. Unfortunately Lady Jane Grey only ruled England for nine days before Princess Mary said she was the Queen and had Lady Jane Grey hanged for treason before becoming Mary I, also known as Mary Tudor.

Leicester today is a great mix of new buildings with old relics from history past hidden inbetween.

For anyone who visits Leicester city may I suggest visiting the following monuments and buildings.

The Magazine Gateway, a 15th century three storey gate house that was important in the protection of the city.

Saint Mary De Castro church, founded in 1107 by Robert de Beaumont and was the Church where King henry VI was knighted while still a child in 1426.

Saint Margarets Church, another 12th century church that towers above the skyline due to its size and magnificent stature.

The Jewry Wall, a 2,000 year old Roman wall that was the front entrance to an old Roman bath house.

Saint Nicholas' Church, dating back to around 880AD during the time of the Anglo Saxons, this church has some building work from this period and more work completed during the time of the Normans in the 11th or 12th century.

Guildhall, located behind Leicester cathderal the Guildhall was built in the 14th century as a place for the Guild of Corpus Christi to meet. The Guild of Corpus Christi was a powerful group of gentry and business men from the period.

For those who have more time to spend looking round the city there are many other historical buildings and monuments to see dating back as far as the Neolithic period.

Why not visit The Travelling to find out more about Leicester travel.