Leicester Guildhall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leicester Guildhall |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | Leicester, Leicestershire |
| Built | 1390 |
| Architectural style(s) | Medieval style |
| Governing body | Leicester City Council |
|
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 Leicester Guildhall is a really old and interesting building in Leicester, England. It's made from wood and was first built around c. 1390. For many years, it served as the town hall for the city. This means it was where important decisions were made.
The Guildhall is located in the old part of the city, which used to have walls around it. It was first used by a group called the Guild of Corpus Christi. Later, it became the main meeting place for the Corporation of Leicester, which was like the city's government. People used the hall for many things, including council meetings, big parties, court cases, and even plays. It's a very important historical building, known as a Grade I listed building.
Contents
A Look Back at the Guildhall's Past
How the Guildhall Began
The main part of the Guildhall, called the Great Hall, was built around 1390. It was the meeting spot for the Guild of Corpus Christi. This Guild was a group of business people and important families. They formed in 1350 to help protect trade in Leicester. They also had religious duties.
The Guildhall was used for big feasts and celebrations. A priest also lived there. He would pray for Guild members who had passed away. This happened in a special chapel at nearby St Martin's Church.
The City's Government Takes Over
In 1589, the Corporation of Leicester was created. This was the official governing body of the city. They started using the Guildhall as their main office and meeting place. It became the heart of Leicester's local government.
Shakespeare and the Guildhall
There's a story that the famous writer William Shakespeare performed here in the late 1500s. To celebrate this, a TV company brought the Royal Shakespeare Company to perform at the Guildhall in 2003. This was part of a BBC show called In Search of Shakespeare.
Another legend says that Shakespeare first heard the old tale of King Leir while he was in Leicester. This story might have inspired him to write his famous play, King Lear. However, there's no real proof for this, even though the legend of King Leir is connected to Leicester.
The English Civil War and Leicester
During the English Civil War, which was a big fight in England, the city of Leicester faced a tough challenge. In 1645, Prince Rupert demanded a large sum of money from the city. The leaders met at the Guildhall to decide what to do. They offered a smaller amount and asked King Charles I for help.
Later, in May 1645, the King's army surrounded Leicester. Again, important decisions about the city's future were made inside the Guildhall. The Royalist army attacked, and the city walls were broken. The last defenders fought near the Guildhall. The Royalists took over the Guildhall, stealing important city records and symbols of power. However, the Royalist victory didn't last long. They were defeated a few weeks later at the Battle of Naseby.
Records show that money was spent on drinks for Oliver Cromwell. While this doesn't prove he stayed at the Guildhall, it's very likely he visited several times. You can still see the coat of arms of King Charles I in the Mayor's Parlour today.
The Guildhall Library and Police
The Guildhall also had a library, which was started in 1632. It held important books, including a Greek New Testament from the 1400s. Leicester's first police force even had its station in the Guildhall starting in 1836.
Becoming a Museum
The city's government moved to a new Leicester Town Hall in 1876. After that, the Guildhall was used as a police station and then a school. Over time, the building became quite old and damaged. By the 1920s, some people wanted to tear it down.
Luckily, a local history group stepped in to save it. The council then started to fix up the building. The restoration work finished in 1926, and the Guildhall opened its doors as a museum.
Richard III's Discovery
In 2013, a big announcement was made at the Guildhall. Archaeologists had found the remains of King Richard III in a nearby car park. This was a huge historical discovery! A museum dedicated to King Richard III opened in 2014, close to where he was found.
The Guildhall Today
Today, the Guildhall is still a busy place. It works as a museum where you can learn about its long history. It's also used as a place for performances, like plays and concerts.
Spooky Stories and Ghosts
The Guildhall is known for being one of Leicester's most haunted buildings. People have reported seeing five different ghosts there! Because of these spooky stories, it has even been featured on TV shows that investigate haunted places.
See also
In Spanish: Guildhall de Leicester para niños
- Guild
- Guildhall
