Leicester Guildhall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leicester Guildhall |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | Leicester, Leicestershire |
| Built | 1390 |
| Architectural style(s) | Medieval style |
|
Listed Building – Grade I
|
|
| Designated | 5 January 1950 |
| Reference no. | 1361405 |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Guildhall in Leicester, England, is a very old building made mostly of wood. Its oldest parts were built around the year 1390. For many years, the Guildhall served as the main office, or town hall, for the city of Leicester. This was before the current town hall was built in 1876. You can find it in the old part of the city, on a street now called Guildhall Lane.
The Guildhall was first used by a group called the Guild of Corpus Christi. Later, it became the meeting place for the official Corporation of Leicester, which was like the city's government. Many important things happened here. It was used for council meetings, big parties, as a courtroom, and even for plays. During the English Civil War, a very important decision about the city's future was made inside its walls. Today, the Guildhall is a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historical site. The area around it, including Leicester Cathedral, is also a special protected area.
Contents
What is the History of the Leicester Guildhall?
How Old is the Great Hall?
The Great Hall, the main part of the Guildhall, was built around 1390. It was the meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi. This guild was a group of important business people and wealthy citizens who also had strong religious ties. The Guildhall was a busy place, used for large banquets and festivals. It also provided a home for a priest who prayed for the guild members at the nearby St Martin's Church. By the end of the 1300s, the Corporation of Leicester bought the Guildhall.
Did William Shakespeare Visit the Guildhall?
It is believed that the famous writer William Shakespeare performed here in the late 1500s. To celebrate this idea, a TV company brought the Royal Shakespeare Company to perform at the Guildhall in 2003. This was part of a BBC series called In Search of Shakespeare.
One story says that Shakespeare first heard the old tale of King Leir while he was at the Guildhall. This legend then inspired him to write his famous play King Lear. However, there is no real proof to support this story, even though the legend of King Leir is connected to Leicester.
The Guildhall During the English Civil War
During the English Civil War, the Mayor and city leaders met at the Guildhall. They received a demand from Prince Rupert for a large sum of money. The leaders decided to offer a smaller loan and asked King Charles I for help.
In May 1645, King Charles I's army, with about 6,000 soldiers, surrounded Leicester. Important decisions about the city's fate were made inside the Guildhall. On May 30, 1645, the Royalist Army made many demands. The city leaders tried to delay, but Prince Rupert attacked at 3:00 pm. The city walls were broken, and the last fight happened outside the Guildhall and St Martin's Church. The Royalists then entered the Guildhall, taking the city's important documents and symbols of power. However, the Royalist victory was short-lived. They were defeated a few weeks later at the Battle of Naseby.
Records show that money was spent on wine and beer for Oliver Cromwell. While this doesn't prove he stayed at the Guildhall, it's very likely he visited several times. Today, you can still see the coat of arms of King Charles I inside the Mayor's Parlour.
The Guildhall Library and Police Station
The Guildhall library was started in 1632. This happened when the town's collection of books, including a Greek New Testament from the 1400s, was moved into the east side of the building. Leicester's very first police force also had its station in the Guildhall starting in 1836.
From Town Hall to Museum
The city's government moved to the new Leicester Town Hall in 1876. After that, the Guildhall was used as a police station and then as a school. However, the building started to fall apart. By the 1920s, there were plans to tear it down. Luckily, the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society stepped in. The city council then began to fix up the building, finishing the work in 1926. After its restoration, the Guildhall opened as a museum.
Richard III's Discovery
On February 4, 2013, a press conference was held at the Guildhall. It was announced that archaeologists had found the remains of King Richard III nearby. His grave was discovered in a car park that was once the site of Greyfriars. A special museum about King Richard III opened on July 24, 2014, close to where his remains were found.
What is the Guildhall Used for Today?
Today, the Guildhall is used for both performances and as a museum. Visitors can explore its history and enjoy various events held there.
Are There Ghosts at the Guildhall?
The Guildhall is known as one of Leicester's most haunted buildings, with five reported ghosts! Because of these ghost stories, it has appeared on several TV shows, including Most Haunted, where investigators looked for paranormal activity.
See also
- Guild
- Guildhall
In Spanish: Guildhall de Leicester para niños
