Picture the past - on your smartphone
THE power to uncover Leicester’s “long and fascinating” past is now at your fingertips with the launch of a new app.
The Picturing the Past app uses augmented reality to allow people to explore three historic stories linked to Green Dragon Square near the market.
These include the 1778 shooting at the medieval pub which gave the square its name.
On May 16, 1778, French teacher Francis Soulés shot John Fenton, son of the landlady of the Green Dragon Inn, following a disagreement with his brother, James Fenton.
Soulés allegedly challenged James to a duel. When James fled to the Green Dragon, Soulés followed, and as John tried to throw him out of the inn, he was shot and died of his injuries the next day.
Soulés was found guilty of murder following a trial at Leicester’s Guildhall and sentenced to death. However, a messenger arrived shortly afterwards, bearing a royal pardon, and Soulés’ life was spared.
The story of Alice Hawkins, whose statue stands in the square, is also told on the app. A Leicester suffragette, Alice Hawkins was arrested after attending a march to the House of Commons to demand votes for women.
The final board will show the influence of the Romans on Leicester. Developed as a collaboration between city-based arts and technology company MBD and Leicester City Council, the app uses audio and images to help bring the stories to life.
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Picturing the Past builds on the interest in local history that’s been generated by our popular Story of Leicester heritage panels, which now highlight more than 175 historic sites in Leicester.
“By making these stories accessible to people via their smartphones, I hope we can encourage residents and visitors to discover more about the city’s long and fascinating past.”
Paul Long, creative director of MBD, said: “We are really pleased to work with the council to bring these stories to life through new technology. We are passionate about the city we work in, and we are excited for audiences to find out more about the stories that have shaped the place we live.”
The panel on Roman Leicester is near the Cherry Orchard mosaic next to the historic Old Fish Market, the tale of the murder at the Green Dragon Inn in 1778 can be found on a panel near The Jetty, and Alice Hawkins’ story is next to the suffragette’s statue in Green Dragon Square.
The Picturing the Past app can be downloaded free of charge from Google Play and the App Store.