Women of the Guildhall - Free Guided Tours

Event Description

Celebrating the incredible women linked to the history of Leicester Guildhall and remembering their stories

Leicester Guildhall celebrate's all the strong minded ladies who have made an impact, and difference to this unique timber framed building; The Guildhall, the oldest building still in domestic use, open to the public in Leicester.

From ‘The Lady of the Mercians’, Aethelflaed was made of stern stuff, she refused to be bullied out of the kingdom.  Aethelflaed intended to unite most of England under a single rule.  She founded cities, sponsored learning, and defeated the enemies of her people.

Edith Gittins initiated the statuette that is situated in the Guildhall courtyard. It was intended to celebrate the historic roots of Leicester, and in particular the period of Anglo-Saxon rule.  Gittin’s wanted recognition of the role of Women in the public sphere.  Edith Gittin’s was a reputed faithful disciple of John Ruskin, and a lover of the Pre-Raphaelites & the Arts & Crafts Movement. She was a talented watercolour artist and a teacher of drawing.  Likewise, her friend Mary Annie Sloane, who had studied under Gittin’s and went on to become an outstanding artist. Sloane exhibited at the Royal Academy and the Royal Society of Painters, Etchers & Engravers.

Anne Wigfield, Mary Woodford, and Agnes Evans fought for equality and Women’s Rights.  Mary, along with Anne Wigfield were involved with the Anti-Dear Bread Campaign of 1855.  They held possibly the First Women Only Meeting in Leicester.  Susanna Watts published in 1804 a publication entitled, ‘A Walk-Through Leicester: being a guide to strangers, containing a description of the Town and its environs with remarks upon its history and antiquities’.

Theodora Salusbury was to become one of a group of stained-glass women artists who were associated with the Arts & Crafts movement.  Several stained-glass windows can be seen in Leicestershire Churches.

Incredible Women, whose stories need telling and names that deserve to be remembered.

For International Women’s Day, Leicester Guildhall’s tour guides celebrate these Women, and many like them.

Tours are for one day only:
1:30am, 1pm & 2:30pm

Free, ticketed event.

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