Leicester Cathedral : Attraction of Leicester

Leicester Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of St Martin, Leicester is a Church of England cathedral in the English city of Leicester, and the seat of the Bishop of Leicester.

A church called St Martin’s has been on the site for about a thousand years, being first recorded in 1086, when the older Saxon church was replaced by a Norman one. The present building dates to about that age, with the addition of a spire, and various restorations throughout the years.

The tomb of King Richard III is located in the central nave of the church although, according to local tradition, he is not actually buried there. He was originally buried in the Greyfriars Church in Leicester, but his corpse was exhumed under orders from Henry VII and cast into the River Soar.

The church was elevated to a Collegiate Church in 1922, and made a Cathedral in 1927, with the recreation of the Diocese of Leicester.

The magnificent East Window was installed as a monument to those that died in World War 1. Its traditional style and masterful use of reds sets the whole cathedral ablaze in the mornings. The highest window contains a sun-like orb with cherubs radiating away from it. In the centre Jesus sits holding a starry heaven in one hand with one foot on a bloody hell. Surrounding Jesus are 8 Angels whose wings are made from a glorious red glass.

To the far right stands St Martin who stands on the tail of a dragon. The dragon goes behind Jesus and can be seen re-emerging under the feet of St George who stands on its head.

On the bottom row can be seen from left St Joan of Arc, Mary, Jesus with crying angels, Mary Magdalene, James and finally St Martin of Tours.

The keen eyed will spot that somewhere in this window is a World War 1 soldier.