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St Mary de Castro

St Mary de Castro exterior
  • Richard III’s father, Richard Duke of York was knighted here when he was 15 years old
  • Founded by Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester
  • It is thought Geoffrey Chaucer was married here

In the heart of Medieval Leicester

St Mary de Castro means St Mary of the Castle, reflecting the church’s origins as a place of worship built within the fortified enclosure, or bailey, of Leicester Castle. During medieval times, St Mary de Castro would have had great importance and much wealth. As a man of great faith, it is likely King Richard would have taken mass and worshipped here whenever visiting Leicester Castle. He may even have prayed here the day before setting off to face his enemy at Bosworth.

Mary de Castro may have been a special place for Richard III as his father, Richard, Duke of York was knighted in the church at the age of 15. This happened during the 'Parliament of Bats' held at the castle in 1426. 'Bats' refer to clubs not the animals; tensions were high and members of parliament were banned from bringing swords, so they brought bats instead.

What do we know of the St Mary de Castro church?

Founded by Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester in 1107, it was a chapel for Leicester Castle. We know that King Henry VI was knighted here when he was 4 years old (at the same time as Richard Duke of York) and it is thought that Geoffrey Chaucer, author of the “Canterbury Tales” married his second wife here in the 1360s. John of Gaunt, who kept the Castle as one of his residences, was the writer’s patron.

The church has been much altered but some early features have survived including Norman doorways, 13th century font, grotesque heads around the exterior, sedilia (seats for the clergy) and piscina (basins for washing communion vessels). The tower was built in the 13th century and the spire added in the 15th.

The spire was carefully removed and put into storage due to safety concerns in 2014.

Timeline
Medieval Leicester
Visitor information
Limited public access inside

Gallery

St Mary de Castro -
St Mary de Castro
Norman zigzag decoration on one of the external doors -
Norman zigzag decoration on one of the external doors
The churchyard houses many old gravestones -
The churchyard houses many old gravestones
Stone carvings on the church exterior -
Stone carvings on the church exterior
The interior of the church -
The interior of the church

Roman Leicester

(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.

Medieval Leicester

(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.

Tudor & Stuart Leicester

(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.

Georgian Leicester

(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.

Victorian Leicester

(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.

Edwardian Leicester

(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.

Early 20th Century Leicester

(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.

Modern Leicester

(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.

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Faith & Belief

Grey Friars

Franciscan friars first arrived in Leicester in the early 13th century. Their friary occupied a large walled precinct south of St Martin’s Church (now Leicester Cathedral) and west of Leicester’s Saturday market place, between two important medieval thoroughfares, Friar Lane and St Francis’ Lane (Peacock Lane today).
Leicester Abbey

Leicester Abbey (demolished around 1538) lay just to the north-east of medieval Leicester, beside the main road leading to Nottingham and Derby, in a pleasant spot next to the River Soar. A number of magnificent ruins related to the abbey complex remain today and can be seen in the grounds of Abbey Park.
Charles Street Baptist Chapel

Baptists were one of the largest Non-Conformist groups in Victorian Leicester and included influential men like Thomas Cook (the great travel pioneer and anti-alcohol campaigner), prominent manufacturers and civic dignitaries.
Freemasons’ Hall

Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest non-religious, non-political and charitable organisations. It became established in Leicester in the 18th Century, with the first Lodges meeting in local public houses.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

Located on the corner of Catherine Street and Gypsy Lane is the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Mandir (BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha), a white limestone Hindu temple. The mandir building is a former denim factory and it has now become one of the largest and most stunning mandirs in the Midlands.
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