Known as ‘Barrell Crosse’ on Speede’s ancient map circa 1600 the Crosse usually indicated a market, hay and straw etc. were traded.
Prior known as Bere Hill or Bear Hill where chroniclers claimed the ‘sport’ of Bear baiting took place eventually the name corrupting into ‘Barrell’ William Kelly’s notes written 1865 state ‘a Bear Garden-a purpose that is well adapted. This site is immediately without the east gates, now called the Haymarket.
Nor was this barbaric ‘sport restricted to Bears. Bull baiting was also deemed acceptable. Ordinance rolls of 1647 Richard Gillet Mayor of Leicester “comaundeath on the Kings behalfe Tha no bocher kylle no bull to selle w’inne this town but yf hit be bayted before.” If found out that the butcher had not baited the bull before it was killed they were to be punished. Bear & Bull baiting were not made illegal until 1835
Also recorded as Roundle later Goswell Gate, no wonder research of this area can be confusing.
1764 Catherine Wincott widow was delivered of a male bastard child begotten on her body by Richard Bassett at the sign of the Turks Head & the child has now become chargeable on the Parish of Saint Mary, (LJ)
It became known as Coal Hill when coal was traded with a weighing m/c installed until the owner of the George Mr. James Briggs had the sign painted over to the Haymarket, circa 1800, subsequently the name overlapped. It was sometimes known as Coal Hill other times the Haymarket.
The Turks Head whereabouts on Coal Hill is unknown as yet.
1779, the LJ reported that the FWK of Leicester were to gather at the Turks Head in Coal Hill where the practice of the new Bill affecting them will be explained.
July 1807, the celebrated John Rea from London who, performed for their majesties, exhibited in public at the Turks Head, Coal Hill. He forfeited 100 guineas to any foreign performer that performed what he exhibited. Front seats 2/- back seats 1/-
The LJ ad left more questions than answers.
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