A more detailed history of the city can also be found on this website at Civic History.
Roman and medieval Leicester
Ratae Coritanorum, later to become Leicester, was an important Roman military centre where the Fosse Way crossed the River Soar. When the military frontier was pushed further to the north and west, Leicester became a civilian town with the standard grid iron street layout.
A little later, Leicester was an important town in the Danish period, with its own mint. There is also firm evidence of a flourishing town at the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066 and the Domesday Book of 1086, with a recorded population of 2,000.
Although it was referred to in the Domesday Book as a ‘civitas’ – or city – it lost that status during the 11th century. For the next 800 years, Leicester – one of the most important places in Britain in terms of wealth, trade and religion – was known as a borough or town. Following the Norman Conquest, Leicester enjoyed a period of peace and stability and developed into a prosperous market town.
1600 - 1820
Leicester's population fluctuated enormously during the 17th Century due to outbreaks of epidemics across the town. The population then grew substantially during the 18th Century and rose to 17,000 by the start of the 19th Century.
1820 - 1914
The population exploded as Leicester's role changed from a traditional market town to an industrial centre, reaching 230,000.
1914 - 1939
Following a visit to the city after World War I, King George V approved the restoration of the town to its former status of a city on 14th June 1919. A massive inter-war public housing programme was extended beyond original expectations. By the start of World War II Leicester's population was approximately 270,000.
Post World War II
Population peaked in the early 60s (288,100 in 1961) and steadily declined in the later part of the 20th Century. However, it is expected to increase in the 21st Century. The current population of Leicester is approximately 280,000.
Reference
There are two excellent texts relating to the growth of the city. Copies of these should be available at both city and county libraries:
1. History in Leicester 55BC to 1900AD by Colin Ellis, 1948. (Later editions may be available.)
This book includes maps on the growth of Leicester during the different periods in its history, as well as useful statistical information. It also includes 'eye-witness' accounts by observers during various periods in history, for example John Leland, ca.1538: "The Hole Toune of Leicester at this Tyme is buildid of tymbre; and so is Lughbrow after the same rate".
2. Leicester and its Region edited by N Pye, Leicester University Press, 1972.
This book has an entire section entitled 'Historical Development' from the pre-historic era to 1971.
