Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Objets d`Art at the NEC

I visited the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) at Birmingham recently for an excellent exhibition.

It was "Antiques for Everyone", organised by Clarion Arts.

There were plenty of paintings, of course, but also a good number of other beautiful things, such as books, jewellery, maps, music boxes, musical instruments, watches and weapons.

It is very pleasant to spend a couple of hours soaking in all this beauty, and chatting on the stands about the artists. I shall be going again.

Posted by colin on Thursday 20th November, 2008 at 9:25am

Guided Walks Continue in the New Year

Quite a few people have asked me in the last couple of weeks whether I am continuing with Guided Walks in the New Year, as the current listing on the website only goes up to the end of December.

The answer is emphatically yes!

I hope that it will be possible to get details for the early part of the New Year very soon, and of course the new posters and leaflets will be available in the next week or two.

In the meantime, here is the listing for early 2009.

Thur 1 Jan Happy New Year Vaughan College 11am £3.50 (£2.50)

Sun 4 Jan Welford Road Cemetery Welford Road Cemetery Gates 2pm £3.50 (£2.50)

Wed 7 Jan Haunted Leicester Town Hall 7pm £3.50 (£2.50)

Sun 18 Jan Oadby St. Peters Church 2pm £4 (£3)

Wed 21 Jan The Haunted City Clock Tower 7pm £3.50 (£2.50)

Wed 28 Jan Narborough Narborough Station 7pm £4 (£3)

Sun 1 Feb Grave Attraction Welford Road Cemetery Gates 2pm £3.50 (£2.50)

Wed 4 Feb HAUNTED LEICESTER Town Hall 7pm £3.50 (£2.50)

Fri 13 Feb Friday the Thirteenth Town Hall 7pm £3.50 (£2.50)

Sat 14 Feb Shepshed Bull Ring 2pm £4 (£3)

Sun 15 Feb Blaby Johns Court 2pm £4 (£3)

Wed 18 Feb Haunted Belgrave Melton Turn 7pm £3.50 (£2.50)

Sat 18 Apr Royal London National Gallery 1pm £5.50 (£3.50)

Sat 18 Apr Crime and Punishment St. Pauls Cathedral 5pm £5.50 (£3.50)

You can book places on any of these as soon as you like.

Posted by colin on Wednesday 19th November, 2008 at 9:41am

Glenfield Youth Go Haunting

I led a private Haunted Walk in Leicester recently for members of Glenfield Youth Club.

It was a version of my very popular "Haunted Leicester" Guided Walk, around the lonely streets of Leicester`s half-forgotten Old Town, where many ghosts are said to lurk.

They heard stories about Leicester`s past, on a walk that led them past the Guildhall, St. Mary de Castro Church and the Turret Gateway, where the ghost of the terrifying Black Annis is sometimes seen.

If your group would like to experience this walk, feel free to get in touch.

Posted by colin on Tuesday 18th November, 2008 at 6:36pm

Ghosts and the Supernatural in Leicestershire

I gave a talk recently on "Ghosts and the Supernatural in Leicestershire" for Leicestershire`s County Library Service.

The talk was at the Public Library at Syston, and was open to the public.

Taking place in the run-up to Hallowe`en, it was similar to my "Tales for Halloween" Guided Walk, with stories of hauntings from Leicester and the surrounding area.

I also included some of my own experiences, as well as tales from London, and from the mysterious Essex witch country around Rochford, where I was born.

The talk went down very well, and I will be pleased to let your own group have a similar experience! Just get in touch.

Posted by colin on Monday 17th November, 2008 at 10:17am

London: The Executioner`s City

An interesting recent addition to the vast number of books already published about London is "London: The Executioner`s City".

It is written by David Brandon and Alan Brooke.

The authors acknowledge that Tyburn (where Marble Arch now stands) is by far the most famous execution site in London, but there were many more.

They look at some of these other sites, such as Smithfield, Newgate and the Old Bailey, the Tower of London and Execution Dock at Wapping, along with many others.

They also look at the history of penal policy and of public attititudes to executions, which were once regarded as a choice form of public entertainment.

Posted by colin on Thursday 13th November, 2008 at 8:52am

Weekend in Chesterfield

My wife Anne and I spent a weekend recently in Chesterfield. As we are both busy in different ways, it is quite a rare occurence for us both to be free at the same time.

The occasion was a familiarisation weekend run by the Group Travel Organisers Association (GTOA), jointly between the Central Branch and the Northern Branch.

I had been to the Northern equivalent last year, which was held at Kendal.

We stayed at the Chesterfield Hotel, conveniently situated a short walk from Chesterfield Station, and had a room with a lovely view of a wooded hillside. The hotel is run by Legacy Hotels. The food was good, and the restaurant well managed.

We had a stroll around Chesterfield when we arrived on the Friday morning, and had coffee in the delightful Peacock`s coffee house in the Market Place, before meeting some of the delegates for a climb up the famous Crooked Spire of St. Mary and All Saints Church, in the company of the church`s own guide. After that, we found another coffee house, the vegetarian Elliott`s.

On the Saturday, we all went out on a double decker bus.

First, we were taken to Chesterfield Market. This excellent market claims to be the biggest in England, and I agree that it could well have that honour. I know several big Market Places, but I think the one at Chesterfield is probably bigger.

We went on from there to Bolsover, and had a quick walk through to Bolsover Castle, where we had a short guided tour with a local guide.

After that it was lunch, in the form of a buffet at the Shoulder Inn at Hardstoft. Very nice.

Then in the afternoon, we were taken to Hardwick Hall. We were regaled with a talk by an actress playing the part of Bess of Hardwick`s companion, and then walked around the house at our own pace.

We did intend to have a coffee at Hardwick Hall, but the time being taken to serve the people already there meant that we would certainly not have had time, so we had to forego that pleasure. Instead, we had a quick look at the ruined Hardwick Old Hall next door.

The meal in the evening included a raffle, and I am delighted to say that I won one of the prizes! So at some point next year, Anne and I will be spending a couple of nights at the TLH resort at Torquay. I have promised to donate a prize next year, in the form of a Guided Walk for a group around Historic Leicester.

On the Sunday morning, we attended the AGMs of the two regions. After that, there was a sort of "treasure hunt" by car, which ended at Bateman`s restaurant at Old Tupton, and then it was time to go home.

It was very nice to meet group orgaisers from over a wide area. In particular, I was able to talk to people from Chester, Coventry, Henley-in-Arden and Northampton.

Thanks very much to Alan Brett for organising the weekend.

Posted by colin on Wednesday 12th November, 2008 at 10:00am

Popular Tour Around Vale of Belvoir

I led another of my morning Coach Trips recently, and I am glad to say that it went down as well as ever.

This time it was "Vale of Belvoir Tour", around the lovely area in the North East of Leicestershire, close to the borders with Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

Having left St. Margarets Bus Station in Leicester, we travelled out along the picturesque Wreake Valley and through the fascinating town of Melton Mowbray.

Then I took the coach on a route that took in a good number of Leicestershire and Rutland villages, including Whissendine, Waltham-on-the-Wolds and Croxton Kerrial.

We always stop somewhere for the opportunity of coffee, tea, cakes etc, but at a place which is interesting in its own right.

This time it was the fairy tale Belvoir Castle, spectacularly placed on its hilltop with majestic views across a wide stretch of countryside.

After that, it was back to Leicester via the delightful villages of the Vale of Belvoir, including Granby, Long Clawson and Hose.

Morning trips in the coming year include "Northamptonshire Borders Tour" and "Richard III Tour", and the next full day excursion is "Chester", which includes a Guided Walk.

I keep a Visitors` Book which is made available to passengers on the Coach Trips. Comments this time included "thoroughly enjoyed the country views and especially Belvoir Castle", "thank you Colin for another lovely morning out", "the route taken shows what a beutiful country England is", "enjoyed your commentary" and "very enjoyable trip - great stop for coffee".

Posted by colin on Monday 10th November, 2008 at 9:03am

Who Are All These Kings?: Edward II

Edward II was King of England for twenty years in the early part of the 14th century.

Universally regarded as a weak king, he allowed himself to be led by favourites before eventually being forced to abdicate, and is chiefly remembered today for the ghastly manner of his death.

Edward was the son of Edward I and Eleanor of Castile, and was born at Caernarfon Castle in 1284 during one of his father`s Welsh campaigns. He was thrust very early into the limelight when his father presented him to the Welsh people as a baby - their new prince, born in Wales and unable to speak a word of English.

He was the fourteenth of his parents` nineteen children, but few lived to adulthood and he never knew most of them.

Edward`s only real childhood friend was the handsome but effeminate Piers Gaveston. As they grew up, it became apparent that their relationship was homosexual, and the king banished Gaveston from court.

When Edward I died in 1307, however, his son recalled his friend and they continued to scandalise the court with their behaviour. It also did not go down well when Edward left Gaveston as Regent when he went to France to collect his bride, Isabella of France, the daughter of King Philip IV. They were married at Boulogne in 1307.

Edward I`s coronation at Westminster Abbey was organised by Gaveston, and his over the top show of affection for Edward greatly distressed the young queen. As if this were not bad enough, he mismanaged the banqueting arrangements, leading to the meal being both late and badly cooked. Some of Edward`s cousins almost came to blows with Gaveston in the abbey.

A group of barons prevailed upon Edward to banish Gaveston, so he made him Regent of Ireland in 1308, but this did not last and he was soon back. Next Gaveston was made Lord of Man, but returned as brash as ever for the Christmas celebrations. This was too much, and a committee of barons, led by the powerful Thomas, Earl of Leicester, took over the government of the country in 1310.

They arrested Gaveston at Scarborough and beheaded him on Blacklow Hill outside Warwick in 1312.

Although this got rid of Gaveston, it was not universally popular and brought to the fore Hugh le Despenser, Earl of Winchester, and his son, also Hugh, who largely took over the position formerly occupied by the hated Gaveston. The younger Hugh became the king`s closest adviser in 1313.

Edward did decide that he should do something about Scotland, having been on expeditions with his father. He took an army across the border but soon retreated, leaving Robert the Bruce to consolidate his own position.

In 1314 Philip de Mowbray, Governor of Stirling Castle, the last Scottish castle in English hands, warned the king that he would surrender to the Scots if Edward did not come to his aid. Edward accordingly arrived with an army of twenty thousand men, outnumbering the Scots by two to one. Bruce had prepared the ground beforehand, with pits and boggy ground, and the Scots had a great victory, from then on known as Bannockburn.

Edward fled from the battlefield, at first unbelievably seeking refuge in Stirling Castle, but thinking better of it and escaping by way of Dunbar to London. Although Scotland`s independence was not formally recognised until 1328, it effectively dated from Bannockburn.

Things went from bad to worse, and there was almost a civil war between the Despensers and the barons under Earl Thomas. In Wales, the younger Despenser started to establish something of an empire, opposed by the Marcher Lord Roger Mortimer, who ran a similar empire. The Welsh themselves sided with Despenser, as they hated Mortimer more.

At this point, in 1322, Edward showed some decisiveness. He led an army against Mortimer, whom he captired and imprisoned in the Tower of London, and followed this up by leading an army against Thomas of Leicester, whom he defeated at Boroughbridge, having him beheaded at Pontefract. A cult grew up around Thomas, who became venerated in some quarters as a saint, but in a reign of terror his supporters were hanged in their own localities.

He led an army into Scotland, and got as far as Edinburgh before having to retreat, and was chased into York by the Scottish army.

Isabella, the queen, now became even more distant from Edward, and at the same time closer to Roger Mortimer, and the Despensers convinced Edward to deprive her of her estates. She went to France, with Edward`s consent, to open negotiations with her brother King Charles IV, as relations between the two countries were deteriorating.

However, once in France, she was joined by Mortimer, who had escaped from the Tower by drugging his guard. They now lived openly as lovers.

Isabella and Mortimer raised an army to depose Edward and put his young son, also Edward, on the throne. They sailed to England and landed at Harwich in 1326. Edward retreated to Wales, and was captured at Penrhys. He was held captive at Kenilworth Castle, and was treated considerately, his gaoler being Henry, the younger brother of the executed Thomas. Most of Edward`s closest supporters, including the Despensers, were rounded up and executed. The elder Despenser was hanged and beheaded at Bristol, while his son was savagely hacked to death in Hereford Market Place.

In 1327, Edward abdicated in favour of his son, who became Edward III, with Isabella and Mortimer as Regents. He was moved to Berkeley Castle.

Mortimer was afraid that there could be a rebellion in Edward`s favour, so arranged for his murder. He was held down, while a red hot poker was inserted into his bowels. Edward died in 1327. However, there is a story that he escaped from Berkeley, leaving a substitute to be murdered, and spent the rest of his life as a hermit.

Edward was buried at Gloucester Cathedral, where he has a fine tomb.

He was a cultured man, well built and handsome, a fine horseman, and with a keen interest in music and the arts.

Isabella, sometimes known as "the She-Wolf of France", acted as Regent until her son Edward III took control and had Mortimer executed. She was allowed to live in retirement, and died in 1358 at Castle Rising. She was buried at the Greyfriars Church at Newgate in London, but her tomb was lost during the Reformation.

Edward and Isabella had four children.

Edward, born at Windsor Castle in 1312, succeeded his father as Edward III.

John was born at Eltham Palace in 1316. He died in 1336 at Perth and was buried at Westminster Abbey.

Eleanor was born at Woodstock Palace in 1318. She married Regionald II, Count of Gueldres, in 1332, and died and was buried in Gueldres in 1355.

Joan was born at the Tower of London in 1321. She married David II of Scotland in 1328 at Berwick-upon-Tweed, and died at Hertford Castle in 1362, being buried at the Greyfriars Church at Newgate in London.

Edward also had an illegtimate son Adam, by an unknown mother, He was born in 1310 and died in 1322.

Posted by colin on Sunday 9th November, 2008 at 8:36pm

Hallowe`en Tales at Thurcaston

I gave a talk recently on "Tales for Halloween", in the Leicestershire village of Thurcaston.

Thurcaston and Cropston Local History Society had invited me to give this talk, in the run-up to Hallowe`en, and of course I was pleased to do so. The talk was in the new Parish Room which has been recently added to All Saints Church.

I talked about the origins of Hallowe`en, when the boundaries between the land of the living and the land of the dead are said to become blurred.

Then I followed up with stories of hauntings, some in Leicestershire, and gave an idea of the traditional and much feared Cunning Men of my native Essex.

If your group would like a version of this talk, feel free to get in touch.

Posted by colin on Friday 7th November, 2008 at 9:03am

Street Names Talk for Model Engineers

I gave a talk recently on "Street Names of Leicester", for the Leicester Society of Model Engineers.

This is the organisation which runs the smashing little trains in Abbey Park.

The talk was originally to have been at the Cricketers, beside the Leicestershire County Cricket Club ground in Grace Road, but a last minute change saw the venue being changed to the Bassett Centre at South Wigston.

Leicester is one of the oldest towns in the country, and has a delightfully eccentric collection of street names.

I talked about the streets ending in "gate", which have nothing whatever to do with gateways, but refer to the Danish occupation a thousand years ago, this being an old word from their language simply meaning street. Examples are Belgrave Gate, Church Gate and Gallowtree Gate.

Some of the other streets discussed were Butt Close Lane, Cank Street, Cheapside, Every Street, Grey Friars, Pocklingtons Walk and Belvoir Street, one of a cluster referring to the Dukes of Rutland.

This is always a popular talk, and I will be happy to arrange to deliver it to your club.

Posted by colin on Monday 3rd November, 2008 at 9:15am