Random Bits of Leicester, England

Here's some more of Leicester!

The car park where King Richard III's bones were found is undergoing massive renovations (as is quite a bit of the surrounding area). We visited in March 2014 and the place will probably be a lot more impressive in a year or two (perhaps right now if you are reading long after I write it).

Richard III's burial ground

We wandered around to see other sites. In the pedestrianized downtown area is the clock tower, providing vital information and a fun spot to rendezvous if people get separated.

Clock tower

Over near the castle grounds is St. Mary de Castro, the church where Geoffrey Chaucer got married in 1336. It looked like it wasn't open so we just took a picture from afar.

Trees and scaffolding do not a good picture make

Near the church is the Magazine Gateway, so called because it was the main gunpowder and weapon depot for the town during the English Civil War. Prior to the war, it was known as the Newarke Gate, an entrance into the city from the neighborhood of Newarke. The sign says that Richard III's body was probably carried through this gate after his death on Bosworth Field.

Magazine Gateway

We had lunch in town at a local pub which was rather unremarkable, except for L's enormous hot dog.

L was very gleeful

Plenty of shops line the streets of Leicester, but two in particular caught my eye. The Very Bazaar is just a cool name for a store; Shakespeares Head sounds a bit threatening, as if local Richard III supporters want some payback for centuries of Tudor propaganda passing itself off as great art.

The Very Bazaar

Shakespeares Head--maybe it's just a public toilet he used?

Newarke Houses Museum, Leicester, England

Newarke Houses Museum is a fun museum about 20th century Leicester spread over two 16th century mansions (houses on Newarke Street, hence the name). The building has a good variety of exhibits appealing to most every age and taste.

The entrance

Side view of the museum

The first room has displays of the industrial history of Leicester, including an old time clock for workers.

Clock for clocking in to work

An old grocer's store

J and L were much more interested in the toy exhibit, which has some items for playing. L's favorite was a horse-stick. J played most with a plastic bowling ball and pins.

J looks at some classic toys

20th century toys!

Ride 'em, L!

Also downstairs is the Paneled Room, which recreates the 1645 conditions of the locals. The family was fairly affluent as can be seen from the decor.

Paneled Room

Downstairs also has a recreation inspired by 1950s-era Wharf Street in Leicester.

1950's street

Jolly Angler pub

The grocer's store (different from the one above!)

The top floor of the museum is dedicated to the military. The history of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment is described along with many mementos both serious and fun.

History of Royal Leicestershire Regiment

Some weapons

Tiger-head snuff box!

The museum has a recreation of a World War I trench with sounds and lights flashing. The kids weren't too scared to go through.

In the trench

A small room with bunks

A machine gun

Soldiers often adopted stray dogs as companions and to help with the rat problem. This dog (who was named "Rats") was so popular that he was stuffed for display.

Rats the dog

World War II items include the usual variety of gear along with a display on the Women's Land Army. Young women who didn't join the military forces could go and work on farms to keep the local production of food as high as possible.

Women's Land Army display

The museum also has a Morrison Shelter. It's a steel table with metal legs and mesh on the sides. If people couldn't make it to an air raid shelter, they could hide under the table during an air raid. Otherwise, it functioned as a kitchen table. 500,000 were distributed by 1941 and it is named after Herbert Morrison, the Home Secretary in charge of air raid precautions.

Morrison Shelter

The museum also features a treasure hunt trail for children, looking for family crests and other nice decorations sprinkled throughout the museum. J and L weren't particularly interested in doing it but I did find some nice items.

A family coat-of-arms

Even fancier coat-of-arms display

An eagle!

Some random paneling

Leicester Cathedral, England

St. Martin's, the medieval church in the center of Leicester, only became a cathedral in 1927. In AD 680, the Saxons established the first bishop in Leicester. Two hundred years later, his successor fled from the invading Danes. Subsequently, the people of Leicester were shepherded by the bishop of Lincoln (from 1072) and later Peterborough (from 1837). The first St. Martin's was built by the Normans in the 11th century. It was rebuilt in the 13th and 15th centuries, becoming the "civic church" since the Guildhall is across the street. The Victorians also added to and redesigned some of the church. When the diocese of Leicester was re-established, it was chosen as the bishop's church.

The exterior of the church is surrounded by yet more renovations, mostly due to the discovery of King Richard III's remains in a car park across across the street.

Leicester Cathedral (with construction)

Where Richard III's body was found

Detail of the side entrance

We entered through the west entrance and came upon the 1849 baptismal font.

Nave from the baptismal font

The font

To the right is St. George's Chapel, dedicated to the patron of England with memorials of the Royal Leicester Regiment. The tiger emblem from their seal has been adopted by the local rugby team, the Leicester Tigers.

St. George's Chapel with regimental colours

Mosaic of the regiment

Further up the south aisle of the church is the Archdeacon's Court, which has activities for children, including a replica of the church created by a Sunday school class.

Recreation of the church and other crafts

Memorial to John Johnson (not someone so historically significant, but I liked the carving)

Around the corner is St. Dunstan's chapel, notable for the Greek icon of Mary and Jesus Pointing the Way and the Russian icon of the Hospitality of Abraham.

Mary and Jesus

Hospitality of Abraham

In the north aisle is St. Katharine's Chapel with memorials to the Herrick family. The family's home stood where the Greyfriars friary was located. It's now some town offices and the car park where Richard was found.

One memorial to the family

The chapel

Banner for the Mothers' Union

At the center of the church is the main altar with the high altar behind it. This area also has a memorial stone to Richard.

Main altar

High altar at the back

Memorial to Richard III

Also by the high altar is the cathedra, the bishop's seat from which the cathedral gets its name.

Bishop's chair

Also notable in the church are the ceiling decorations and trim, which add a nice bit of color.

Over the main altar

Well trimmed

I talked to one of the docents in the cathedral and she said they are getting an area ready for the tomb of Richard, though as of my writing (March 2014), the decision has not yet been made whether he would be entombed here or at York Minster (where he is from).