Leicester, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Vine Street Courtyard House
Roman Leicester
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 14, 2024
1. Vine Street Courtyard House Marker
Leicester was under Roman rule for over 350 years. Over this time the townscape continually-evolved around a regular grid of streets. The plots of land between these were built on for generations, with new buildings replacing old, as uses, fashion, and the economy also changed.
Beneath what is now the Highcross John Lewis Car Park, a row of three simple timber-framed houses were built around the start of the 2nd century. These were the first Roman buildings to be constructed on this plot of land. They lasted about 50 years before falling into decline. They were then superseded by sturdier workshops and private homes built of stone and brick. One of these homes had a large slate roof, glass windows, lockable doors and decorative frescoes painted onto the wall plaster.
A Luxury Townhouse
In the early part of the 3rd century, the site was redeveloped again to accommodate the largest known townhouse in Roman Leicester. The Vine Street Courtyard House, as we now call it, was built of stone and measured 40 square metres.
This impressive house had diamond shaped slates on the roof and 26 rooms. These included a grand reception room, a kitchen, dining rooms, sitting rooms, bedrooms, offices and slave quarters. Many of these rooms were decorated with elaborate wall paintings and intricate mosaics. Some rooms were even heated by hot air, which was circulated under their floors. All four wings of the house looked over a central courtyard with an ornamental pool.
An Area in Decline
Used for over 150 years, this was a house for very wealthy occupants, with a large number of servants. By the middle he 4th century, however, the house fell out of use. The northern end was demolished and the buildings on the them side were repurposed as workshops. One room was even used as an open air toilet or
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings.
Location. 52° 38.315′ N, 1° 8.28′ W. Marker is in Leicester, England. It is on Vaughan Way, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 86 Vaughan Way, Leicester, England LE1, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in England’s Midlands. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: All Saints' Church (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Globe (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Shaftesbury Hall (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Forum and Basilica (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Ratae Corieltavorum (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Dryad Collection (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); BBC Asian Network (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); BBC Radio Leicester (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leicester.
Also see . . . The Vine Street Courtyard House (The Story of Leicester). One of a number of related pages from the URL provided on the marker.
Excerpt: Roman Curse Tablet - A lead curse tablet describing the theft of a cloak from a man called Servandus, from a slave quarters, was found near the courtyard house. Nineteen suspects are listed, probably representing a unique roll-call of slaves from a single household, most likely from the Vine Street courtyard house.(Submitted on July 31, 2024.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 19 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on July 26, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. photo of the marker within its surroundings • Can you help?
