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11. Leicester (5) St Martin's Cathedral Church and the Medieval Guildhall
The Guildhall with the tall spire of St Martin's Cathedral Church towering above it.
St Martin's Cathedral Church, Leicester. St Martin's originates from a Norman church of the 12th century. From archaeological finds below the foundations of the present church, the site was probably a pagan sanctuary which later became a Christian Saxon church prior to the Norman Conquest of England.
The great medieval oak chest in St Martin's Cathedral, complete with iron bands, locks and ring. It is now used to collect donations.
Looking down the nave of St Martin's cathedral towards the chancel and alter, with the arches of the south aisle on the left. The chancel was rebuilt in 1409 and the north and south chapels added. There were later considerable additions in the 15th-17th centuries. In the 19th century there was considerable rebuilding and restoration work as the church as, according to the new vicar of 1844, Mr Edward Thomas Vaughan, "The fabric is in a sadly decayed and decaying condition". The old spire was taken down and a new 220 ft (~72m) one erected in 1867 onto the new tower built in 1861.
The very striking east stained glass window above the alter of St Martin's Cathedral. It was designed by Christopher Wall in memory of the fallen of the 1914-1918 World War I.
The Guildhall on St Martins West, is a medieval building from the early 15th century, with considerable 16th and 17th century additions and alterations and should really be considered a Tudor building, either way its on the tourist trail of Leicester City. |
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