Astronomy in Leicestershire title image

William Ludlam (c1717–1788) - Leicester

Places in Leicester associated with William Ludlam

Very few buildings remain in Leicester city centre from William Ludlam's time. These images are of places he would have known. The earliest dates from a few years after his death.

Engraving by Samuel and Nathaniel Buck of Leicester in 1743
Detail from The South Prospect of Leicester, by Samuel and Nathaniel Buck, 1743

Coloured engraving showing the complete image.

Click on image for larger version.

Leicester in 1790
A view of Leicester from the site of the Abbey, 1790.

From: Throsby, 1791.

Click on image for larger version.

St Mary de Castro Leicester, 1795
St Mary de Castro, Leicester, 1795.

The church where William Ludlam was baptised and buried.

From Nichols, 1815.

Click on image for larger version.

St Mary de Castro Leicester, 2012
St Mary de Castro, Leicester, 2012.

Click on image for larger version.

Leicester Free Grammar School, published 1815
Leicester Free Grammar School, published 1815

The origins of Leicester Free Grammar School date back to the middle of the 16th century with a bequest from William Wigston's estate. Boys from Leicester could attend, free of charge. In 1564 it was re-founded with an annual grant from Queen Elizabeth I. At the time, the school was part of St Peter's Church. However, the church fell into disrepair and materials from the church were used to construct the building now standing in Highcross Street. It was completed in 1574.

This is the earliest known image of the school.

From Nichols, 1815.

Click on image for larger version.

John Flower, 1825, High Cross Street
High Cross Street, 1825

The Grammar School can be seen at the end of the street.

From: Flower, 1825

Click on image for larger version.

Leicester Free Grammar School, 1893
Leicester Free Grammar School, 1893

The writing on the building says "THE MIDLAND BREWERY COMPANY LOUGHBOROUGH ALE STORES".

From: Cowrie, 1893.

Click on image for larger version.

Leicester Free Grammar School in 2012
Leicester Free Grammar School, 2012.

It is now a restaurant.

Click on image for larger version.

Wigston's Hospital, Leicester
Wigston's Hospital, published 1815

This building was demolished in 1875.

From Nichols, 1815.

Click on image for larger version.

Flower's drawing of the Confrater's House.
The Confrater's House, Wigston's Hospital, 1825.

William Ludlam's brother, Thomas Ludlam (1750–1812) was Confrater from 1755-1812. William spent some time living at the Confrater's House.

The street name has changed over the years from Southgate Street to Highcross Street and now Applegate (the original Applegate Street was further west).

From: Flower, 1825

Text for Flower's drawing of the Confrater's House.
Text for Flower's drawing of the Confrater's House.
St Martin's Church, 1792
St Martin's Church, 1792

From Nichols, 1815.

Click on image for larger version.

St Martin's Cathedral, 2013
St Martin's Church, now Leicester Cathedral, 2013

Click on image for larger version.

The Town Hall, now the Guildhall in 1825
The Town Hall, now the Guildhall in 1825

From: Flower, 1825

Click on image for larger version.

Leicester Guildhall, 2013
Leicester Guildhall, 2013

Click on image for larger version.

Maps

The area around St Martin's, Leicester in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

1722 map of Leicester
Map of Leicester, 1722.

In Fielding Johnson, 1906, opposite p324.

Full version of map.

1792 map of Leicester
Map of Leicester, 1792.

From: Throsby, 1791.

Key i - St Martin's Church, m - Castle, n - St Mary's Church.

Note: the grave of Richard III was found on the other (east) side of New Street (south of St Martin's), close to, but not at, the site marked on the map.

Full version of map.

1828 map of Leicester
Map of Leicester, 1828.

In Fielding Johnson, 1906, opposite p3.

Key: a - Town Hall [now the Guildhall], d - Wigston's Hospital [now demolished].

Full version of map.

References

Cowrie, George, The History of Wyggeston's Hospital, The Hospital Schools and The Old Free Grammar School Leicester, 1893. opposite p89, photo of Leicester Grammar School, 1893.

Flower, John, Views of ancient buildings in the town and county of Leicester, 1825.

Nichols, John, The history and antiquities of the county of Leicester : Vol. 1, Part 2, 1815, Plate XXXIV (opposite p495): Engraving of Wigston's Hospital. Plate XLIII, opposite p590, St Martin's Church. Plate XXVIII, opposite p326, Free School

St Mary de Castro, Leicester: Virtual Tour

Throsby, John, The history and antiquities of the ancient town of Leicester, 1791. Plan of Leicester, dated 1792, opposite p1. Plate XXI. View of Leicester in 1790.

University of Leicester: Free Grammar School, Leicester - building survey



Home

Last updated 31st July, 2013.

Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional