The Wyvern Around Leicester
- contributed by Angela Jennings
The Wyvern is a winged dragon-like, mythical creature with 2 legs and a barbed serpent tail.
It was incorporated into the coat of arms of Leicester City in 1619. The Wyvern was the crest of Thomas Crouchback, more commonly referred to as Thomas of Lancaster, who lived in the early fourteenth century and was a powerful earl of five cities including Leicester.
You can see the Wyvern all over Leicester on roof tops, carved into walls, on weather vanes, and atop wrought iron gates. It is worth going on a Wyvern hunt to see how many you can spot.
Around Leicester
Click on a picture to see it complete or the link in the text where present for further information
- Photo by Graham Williams
Each year in August there is a parade of extravagant costumes, this one in 2015.
- Photograph by Anthony Matthew.
The season
- Photograph by Anthony Matthew.
- photograph by Irene Ault
Umar Mosque was completed in 2000. The building is named after the second caliph, Umar.
- photograph by Irene Ault
- Photograph by Richard Taylor
- Photograph by Rachel Mason
- photograph by Irene Ault
The fountain was designed by Francis Hames, the architect of the Town Hall. It was unveiled by Sir Israel Hart on 24 September 1879. It is constructed of bronze-painted cast iron, Shap granite and Ross of Mull granite.
- photograph by Cliff Ault
- Photograph by Anthony Matthew.
- Photo by Anthony (Matt) Matthew
- Photo by Cliff Ault
- photograph by Irene Ault
Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens,
unveiled 4 July 1925
- Photo by Graham Williams
A life-size representation of a seated eighteenth-century hosiery worker sewing the seam of a stocking. Commissioned as part of Leicester City Action Programme, 1990. Artist - James Butler.(1931–2022), foundry - The Bronze Foundry.
- Photo by Graham Williams
The 7m (23ft)-wide model, which is a detailed representation of the moon's surface, suspended in the nave of Leicester Cathedral to mark British Science Week. It was created by artist Luke Jerram and has been on display around the world.
- Photo by Graham Williams
The Richard 111 statue was was donated to the city by the Richard III Society in 1980. Artist - James Butler. Originally set up in Castle Gardens, in 2015 it was moved near Leicester Cathedral closer to where the remains of the King were buried
- Photo by Graham Williams