Old records mostly wrote about men: kings, earls and mayors. That doesn't mean women weren't here! These are women connected to Leicester that we know about. Can you find out about more?
JG
Lady Jane Grey
Born near here
Known as the 'Nine Days Queen', she claimed the English throne for nine days in 1553. She is traditionally said to have been born at Bradgate Park near Leicester.
AE
Anne of Denmark and Princess Elizabeth
Visited
Anne of Denmark, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Henry travelled to Leicester on 24 June 1603, after the Union of the Crowns, and the royal party stayed in the town for three days in August 1604.
JF
Jennie Fletcher
1890–1968
Taught swimming here
A swimmer who set a 100-yard freestyle world record in 1905 that stood for seven years. At the 1912 Olympics she won gold in the 4×100-metre freestyle relay. In 1913 she began teaching swimming in Leicester.
ST
Sue Townsend
1946–2014
Born here
A writer and humorist born in Leicester, best known for creating the character Adrian Mole.
AF
Anne Fine
Born here
A writer born and raised in Leicester, best known for her children's books.
PN
Parminder Nagra
Born here
An actress born in Leicester in 1975, whose parents came from India in the 1960s. She acted on stage at the Haymarket Theatre in Leicester and became known for playing Jess in the film Bend It Like Beckham (2002).