Your Summer Bumper Issue - Aspire Magazine

Our HistoryBy Laura MerryA JourneyInto The PastThe Aspire region is aliveand kicking with history;from ancient battlefieldswhere kings lost theircrowns, to fairytale castleswhere queens wereexecuted, Leicestershireand Northamptonshireboast a rich and colourfulhistoric past.The arrival of the schoolholidays signals the perfecttime to explore some of thispast, not only to keep thekids entertain, but also tofind out a bit more aboutthe region you live in…images courtest of www.BritainonShow.co.ukNorthamptonshireOne of the most outstanding Elizabethan mansionsin the country is Kirby Hall. Set in magnificentgrounds, where peacocks roam free, this mansionwas completed by Sir Christopher Hatton, withsome 17th Century alterations. The Hall isextremely tranquil and secluded, surrounded, atone time, by orchards, wild meadows and highformal gardens.Before the age of mankind, much ofNorthamptonshire was the site of shallow inlandtropical seas during the Jurassic period, whichlead to the formation of limestone. This area, nowknown as Rockingham Forest, covers 200 squaremiles, lying between the River Welland and theRiver Nene.A wealth of famous people are associated withthe Forest: Richard III was born at FotheringhayCastle in 1452, Sir Thomas Tresham builder ofNyveden New Bield hails from Brigstock, and thepoet, John Dryden, was born in the picturesquevillage of Aldwincle in 1631.You will immediately understand why Williamthe Conqueror ordered a castle to be built inRockingham when you catch your first glimpseof this grand castle. Set high on a hillside,Rockingham Castle has been a royal castle for450 years and a family home for another 450.Set amongst beautiful parkland, Deene Park is asplendid manor that typifies the medieval manorhouse. The estate has been owned since the 16thcentury by the Brudenell family, decedents of theEarl of Cardigan. The grounds are the perfectplace to enjoy a picnic before exploring the house,which is home to fine paintings, furniture andfamily mementoes.Northamptonshire is renowned the world overfor its production of high quality boots and shoes.Towns such as Rushden, Higham Ferrers andRaunds owe much of their historic character tothe shoe production industry. Visit the RushdenMuseum and learn more about the Industry andone of the town’s most successful shoe makers,John White.www.britainonshow.co.ukLeicestershireWhere better to start your journey than in thecity centre and at Jewry Wall Museum, one of thehighest Roman remains within a city in England.Retrace the footsteps of Romans, who enteredglorious Roman baths through the arches that stillstand today. Jewry Wall is also home to a Romanmilestone – one of just a handful found in Britain.A major event in Leicestershire’s history is theBattle of Bosworth, where Richard III lost hislife. At Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre, youcan discover the story of the Battle, but also findarchaeological treasures from the Bosworth site.After the Battle, Richard III’s body was placed ona horse and brought back to Leicester, where hewas buried at Greyfrairs Monastery. However, hisbones were later dug up and thrown into the RiverSoar, hence the name of the road into Leicester bythe Holiday Inn Hotel – King Richard’s Road.Talking of King Richard, there is a memorial stonededicated to him at Leicester’s Cathedral, whichwas only given cathedral status in 1927. TheCathedral underwent major interior and exteriorrestoration of the tower and spire from 2004 to2005. This cost £600,000, some of which wasdonated by the English Heritage and the public.The Guildhall in Leicester City Centre datesback to the 1300’s and remains one of the bestpreserved timber framed halls in the country - it’sbelieved that Shakespeare himself performedhere during Tudor times. It was used as the TownHall from the late 15th century until 1876, andLeicester's first police force was based here.The town of Loughborough is known as ‘thetown of the Bells’ as it has the world's largestbell foundry, John Taylor Bellfounders, whomade the bells for the Carillon War Memorial.Loughborough was first mentioned in the 1086Domesday Book and was the destination for thefirst-ever package holiday organised by ThomasCook.So, with so much history around every corner,get out the house and out into the sunshine anddiscover some of the beautiful and historic placesthe Aspire region has to offer.www.goleicestershire.com10 ASPIREASPIRE 11