BBC - Leicester - Around Leicester - History

Home

Explore the BBC

24 May 2013
Accessibility help
Text only

	BBC Homepage England

»	Leicester News Sport Travel Weather Going Out Message Board Competitions Webcams Video Nation Faith Secret Level Q Gardens Student Life Around Leicester Fun Stuff iCan Site Map
	Contact Us Like this page? Send it to a friend!

		ENTER THE CORIELTAUVI Leicester's unbroken history begins over 2000 years ago.

	A group of the Belgae, a warlike race from the continent, form a separate tribal unit in the East Midlands. They become known as the Corieltauvi.

		THE ROMANS ARRIVE The Romans give Leicester an identity as a settlement.

	The Romans construct the Fosse Way along their northern frontier and build a military fort by the River Soar. They call it Ratae Corieltavorum. Soon, the fort attracts traders, and a civilian community grows.

		THE ROMANS CLEAN UP High status buildings are built in the heart of the town.

	The Romans start work on the construction of their baths. The site is now part of Leicester's Jewry Wall Museum next to the historic Church of St Nicholas

		THE DANES MOVE IN After the Romans leave, Leicester falls prey to invaders.

	Leicester comes under Danish rule, and becomes one of the five towns in the East Midlands making up the Danelagh. The Danish word for road was `gata', hence Churchgate, Gallowtree Gate.

		THE NORMAN CONQUEST Leicester's military status is renewed by William the Conqueror.

	In the years immediately after William's conquest of England, he builds a castle at Leicester. The town is granted to one of his barons.

		LEICESTER ABBEY Leicester grows in significance as a religious centre.

	Leicester Abbey - St Mary de Pratis - is founded. The ruins still emain in one quiet corner of Abbey Park. The canal forms part of the park's boundaries.

		DE MONTFORT CALLS THE TUNE A university, a textile company and a concert hall bear his name.

	Simon de Montfort becomes Earl of Leicester. His name and his image become closely associated with Leicester, although there is no firm evidence that he ever visited the town.

Top | Around Leicester Index | Home

Do you have a comment to make about this or any other story? We want to hear from you.

GCSE results - where next?

A level results - what next?

The Queen's visit to Leicester

Leicester Caribbean Carnival of colours

A chance to influence Leicester's future

Goodbye to Filbert Street - pic gallery

Youthweb gives Leicester youth a voice

Cool facts about the county

Leicester's museums.
Historic locations.
Civic History.
De Montfort Hall.
Leicester today and yesterday
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Catch up on the Riders, Tigers and City

What's on in the clubs, cinemas, theatres and more music from Leicester

Win, win, win great prizes

Have your say on the issues of the day

Have your say about the issues of the day.

Talkback Online

Riders' Ramble

Tigers Talk

Foxes Forum

Leicestershire and Rutland Ex-pats

BBC Leicester site comments

About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy