Former Free School, Highcross Street, Leicester
This building was built in 1573 as a Free School. The money for it came from the bequest of a rich wool merchant called William de Wygeston in the mid 1500s. He was twice Mayor of Leicester. It was to provide free education for boys. The Free School was originally housed in the Church of St Peter before this building was specially built for it, using stone and timbers from the church. The school was also known as Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School. This is because the school was re-founded in 1564 when Queen Elizabeth I made an annual grant of £10 towards the upkeep of the master. It was used as a school until 1841 when it was badly damaged by a fire.
