The history of the Guildhall begins with the Great Hall, which was constructed circa 1390 and used as a meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi. The Guildhall at this time was used for banquets and festivals, but primarily as a home for a priest who prayed for the souls of the Guild in the nearby St. Martins Church. By the end of the 14th Century, the Corporation of Leicester bought the Guildhall. In the late 1500s, it is believed that William Shakespeare visited the Guildhall and possibly performed there, with a legend that states Shakespeare first came across the tale of King Leir on his visit to the Guildhall, and it was this that inspired him to write his own play 'King Lear'. The Guildhall library was established in 1632, when the town library moved into the east wing of the building, and includes the New Testament written in Greek from the 15th Century.

 

During the English Civil War, many important decisions on the future of the city were made here at the Guildhall. On the 29th May 1645, King Charles I positioned an army outside Leicester's city walls, led by his nephew Prince Rupert, in an attempt to divert attention away from Oxford. The following day, the Royalist Army made demand after demand for the city, but later that Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock, Prince Ruperts men attacked. The city walls were breached and the last stand made by the defenders took place outside of the Guildhall and St. Martins Church. The Royalists then entered the Guildhall and looted the town's archives, mace and seal. While the Royalists celebrated this victory, it would only take a mere two weeks later before the Royalists suffered defeat at the Battle of Naseby.

The coat of arms of King Charles can still be seen inside the Mayor's Parlour, and there are even records that show entertainment expenses such as wine and beer, were paid for by Oliver Cromwell. Despite this not proving Cromwell stayed at the Guildhall, this does potentially indicate that he visited the Guildhall several times.

 

Leicester's first police force had its station located in the Guildhall from 1836, and the Corporation moved its headquarters to the new Leicester Town Hall in 1876. The Guildhall was later used as a school too, but by the 1920s, the building became increasingly dilapidated, and was planned for the demolition. However, after intervention from the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society, the council began restoration work on the building. In 1926, the building was restored and was opened up as a museum.

 

And on the 4th February 2013, a press conference was held at Leicester Guildhall, where it was confirmed that archaeologists had discovered the missing remains of England's King Richard III, in the nearby Greyfriars Car Park.

There are five notable ghosts that haunt the Guildhall, the first of which is that of a Medieval Monk, believed to have lived here as part of the Corpus Christi Guild. He is often seen in the Library, standing in front of the opened Bible and flipping the pages. When the Bible is closed at the end of the day, staff report coming into the building the next morning, and seeing that the Bible has been opened. The second ghost is the White Lady. Although no one knows who this lady is, her ghost is frequently seen at the Guildhall, where she moves the Tudor furniture around in the Library, and opens doors despite being locked and bolted.

 

Heavy footsteps are often heard from above the Main Entrance, where the former Constable's Cottage was, believed to be caused by the ghost of a Victorian Police Officer.

 

The apparition of a Cavalier soldier has been seen in the Great Hall, and it's this same Hall where footsteps, bangs and light anomalies are often witnessed.

 

And two animal ghosts have reportedly been sensed here: the first is of a Black Cat that runs up and down the wooden stairs in the Great Hall, and the second is of a Black Dog that guards the Courtyard.

DATE: Saturday 7th December 2024

 

TIMES: 8:00pm - 2:00am (arrive 15 minutes early and wait patiently outside the front entrance until a member of our team greets you at the door)

 

LOCATION: The Guildhall Museum, Guildhall Lane, Leicester LE1 5FQ

 

PARKING AT EVENT: Car Park at NCP Leicester St Nicholas Circle or New Street Car Park. Local Street Parking. Please note parking charges may apply

 

REMAINING BALANCE: Needs to be paid FOUR WEEKS prior to the event date. Failure to pay your remaining balance before this deadline will result in you forfeiting your places and your places will be sold on.

 

WHAT TO BRING: A torch, a warm coat/jacket, sensible footwear, any equipment you wish to bring along (your responsibility), your positive and open-minded energies.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Bringing alcohol or drugs to this event is strictly prohibited. If anyone arrives at the event under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they will not be allowed to stay for the night and will be asked to leave immediately.