John O’Gaunt’s Cellar

John of Gaunt

John of Gaunt was the third surviving son of King Edward III. He was one of the wealthiest noblemen in England and inherited Leicester Castle in 1361. It was his preferred home and he died there in 1399. The developments and improvements to Leicester Castle made it one of the grandest in the country. The great poet Geoffrey Chaucer was a frequent visitor. King Richard II and his Queen were also known to have been entertained in the Great Hall. 

The Cellar

The space known as John O’Gaunt’s Cellar is a room at the south end of the Great Hall. Although the room has always been called John O’Gaunt’s Cellar, it was probably not built until after his death. The Great Hall was built in the mid 1100s but the cellar was probably started in the early 1400s. Myths about the room include it was originally a medieval dungeon. The presence of 18th century graffiti on the walls does however suggest it was used as a prison during the Napoleonic Wars. 

Markings on the cellar wall

Near To The High Table 

A study in 1992-3 confirmed that the cellar was built in two phases. In the second phase, it was made bigger and two towers were added, one with a spiral staircase. Although it is not known for sure, the room may have been built as a wine cellar. In medieval households, wine was only served to those on tables at the high end of the hall. Hence it was usually stored in a cellar behind or close to the high table.