On Leicester’s medieval High Street (now Highcross Street), close to where a Travelodge stands today, there was once an elaborate timber-framed building known as the Blue Boar Inn. Here, by tradition, Richard III spent a final night or two before the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.
Medieval inns like the Blue Boar were the grand hotels of their day, providing food, lodgings and stabling for travellers, including wealthy merchants, aristocrats and royalty. Typically, inns would have buildings on the street frontage and a gateway providing access to a rear courtyard that might be surrounded by further buildings with first-floor accommodation accessed via external staircases and galleries.
There are few historical references to the Blue Boar Inn and even its name in the 15th century is uncertain. Some believe that it was originally called the White Boar (Richard III’s emblem), the sign being hastily changed after Bosworth to a Blue Boar (the insignia of Henry VII’s general, John de Vere, Earl of Oxford). Later, there are hints that it changed its name again to the Blue Bell, although this may simply be confusion with another Leicester inn.
Since Richard III’s death, many legends have arisen concerning the king. One is that he could not sleep in strange beds and so brought his own with him from Nottingham to Leicester, where it was then set up for him in the Blue Boar Inn. When Richard left Leicester, his bed remained behind ready for his return. This, of course, never happened. After his death the bed stayed at the Blue Boar, passing from tenant to tenant until it was eventually acquired by Leicestershire Museums Service, where it is today on display at Donington Le Heath Manor House.
Infamously, in 1604 one owner Mrs Clark was murdered because of a hoard of gold coins that she allegedly found hidden in the bed. The criminals, Thomas Harrison and Edward Bradshaw, aided by Mrs Clark’s servant, Alice Grimbold, robbed and murdered the lady. They were quickly apprehended and Bradshaw was hanged for his crime in 1605, whilst poor Alice – found to be an accomplice in the robbery and murder of her mistress – was burnt at the stake.
After the murder the bed became quite infamous and in 1611 ‘King Richard’s bed-sted I’ Leyster’ was included on a list of sights and exhibitions in England which could be seen for a penny.
The Blue Boar was demolished in 1836, and our knowledge of the inn comes mostly from a number of 18th- and 19th-century engravings, the best-known of which were made by the noted local artist John Flower.
Shortly before the Blue Boar was demolished a Leicester architect, Henry Goddard, also made a detailed record of the building, with meticulous drawings including the roof structure, timber joints and mouldings, all carefully annotated with measurements.
These notes were recently rediscovered in the Goddard family archive and have been used to reconstruct a 3D model of what the Inn would have looked like.
(47- 500) A military fort was erected, attracting traders and a growing civilian community to Leicester (known as Ratae Corieltauvorum to the Romans). The town steadily grew throughout the reign of the Romans.
(500 – 1500) The early years of this period was one of unrest with Saxon, Danes and Norman invaders having their influences over the town. Later, of course, came Richard III and the final battle of the Wars of the Roses was fought on Leicester’s doorstep.
(1500 – 1700) The wool trade flourished in Leicester with one local, a former mayor named William Wigston, making his fortune. During the English Civil War a bloody battle was fought as the forces of King Charles I laid siege to the town.
(1700 – 1837) The knitting industry had really stared to take hold and Leicester was fast becoming the main centre of hosiery manufacture in Britain. This new prosperity was reflected throughout the town with broader, paved streets lined with elegant brick buildings and genteel residences.
(1837 – 1901) The industrial revolution had a huge effect on Leicester resulting in the population growing from 40,000 to 212,000 during this period. Many of Leicester's most iconic buildings were erected during this time as wealthy Victorians made their mark on the town.
(1901 – 1910) Electric trams came to the streets of Leicester and increased literacy among the citizens led to many becoming politicised. The famous 1905 ‘March of the Unemployed to London’ left from Leicester market when 30,000 people came to witness the historic event.
(1910 – 1973) The diverse industrial base meant Leicester was able to cope with the economic challenges of the 1920s and 1930s. New light engineering businesses, such as typewriter and scientific instrument making, complemented the more traditional industries of hosiery and footwear manufacturing.
(1973 – present day) Industry was still thriving in the city during the 1970s, with the work opportunities attracting many immigrants from all over the world. While industry has declined in recent years, excellent transport links have made Leicester an attractive centre for many businesses. The City now has much to be proud of including its sporting achievements and the richness of its cultural heritage and diversity.
