Discount Hotels Leicester
Historical interest: Leicester
    
Leicester has had a very turbulent past. Leicester was originally an important
Roman military centre, at the junction of the Fosse Way and the road from Colchester
to the centre of the country. In the 11th century, although already known as
a city, Leicester lost its city status during the struggle between the Church
and the aristocracy. For the next 800 years Leicester was simply known as a
town, although it was one of the most important places in Britain in terms of
wealth, trade and religion.
The town remained small and was confined within the medieval walls, with the
Castle, the Newarke, Blackfriars and White Friars as extra-parochial areas outside
the jurisdiction of the town. The medieval Guild of Corpus Christi (founded
in 1343) and the Church remained strong, with Leicester Abbey a major monastic
foundation to the north of St Margaret's Parish. All the villages that are now
part of Leicester's suburbs - Belgrave, Evington, Knighton, Aylestone, Braunstone
and Beaumont Leys - were completely separate at this time.
Transport links were always poor. The River Soar was not navigable, as it was
too small and shallow. This made the import and export of goods very difficult,
though this was partially solved by the construction of the Soar Navigation
in the 1790s, first to Loughborough and then to Leicester. Gradually it was
extended southwards to join up with the Grand Union Canal. In 1832, the Swannington
to Leicester Railway enabled coal to be brought into the city at low cost and
the Midland Counties Railway with its original station in Campbell Street followed
in the 1840s.
The spread of steam power enabled factories to be established, especially along
the riverside. A large number of factories grew, with a focus on engineering
and the manufacture of boots and shoes and of hosiery and knitwear. After much
lobbying, city status was finally restored by King George V at the end of the
WWI.
After WWII, there has been a major social change within the population structure
of Leicester. Citizens immigrating form other countries, including India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh and the Caribbean, now form a large percentage of the city's population.
This has created a multi-cultural environmental adding a new dimension to business
and life in Leicester.
Selection of hotels in this region:
Leicester Stage Hotel | | Comfort Inn Hinckley North | | Express by Holiday Inn Leicester Walkers Stadium | | Holiday Inn Leicester - West | | Ramada Jarvis Leicester | | Time Out Hotel | | Holiday Inn | | Travelodge Leicester - Markfield | | Days Inn Leicester | | Hilton Leicester | |
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
|
|
