Leicester
LE1 5FQ
History
Built around 1390 the guildhall was to be used for a meeting place for ‘the guild of corpus Christi’ – a group of business men and ‘well bred’ men who had religious connections. It was used for gatherings such as banquets and festivals and also served as a home for priests who used to pray for the guild members at a local church.
Records for entertainment expenses such as wine and beer suggest that Oliver Cromwell may have visited the hall on several occasions. It is also reported that William Shakespeare also performed here in front of Queen Elizabeth.
As well as the corporation of Leicester using it as a town hall for many years until they moved to the new town hall in 1876, the hall was also used as a police station and a school.
In 1920 there was plans to demolish the building until the Leicester archaeological and historical society intervened and it was then restored and made into a museum in 1926.
Today as well as it being used as a museum it is also used as a performance venue.
In 2013 the press conference was held in the Guildhall to report the findings of Richard IIIs remains in a car park nearby.
Reported Activity
Reputedly the most haunted building in Leicester, people have reported seeing either a woman In white or a monk in grey robes, a cavalier, a policeman and a phantom dog and cat.
Reports of objects moving, a being shut when the staff leave but when return the next day it’s opened on the same page every day.
Footsteps have been heard along with seeing legs appear under a painting, the burglar alarm has been triggered when no one is in the building.
