Vaults
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Closed down in September 2003, this former pub in Leicester had a brilliant hanging sign with the illustration of an elderly-looking King William - hence the Steamin' Billy. William the Conqueror was the illegitimate son of Robert I, Duke of Normandy, and of Arlette (daughter of a tanner in Falaise). Around 1051 he married Matilda of Flanders. In 1035 he succeeded his father as Duke but only established authority over Normandy following a long struggle. However, his strong links with Edward the Confessor led to designs on the English crown and his invasion of 1066 was supported by a pope dissatisfied with the English church. He was crowned in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day and his reign was one of consolidation which included the infamous Domesday Survey of 1086. He died the following year and was succeeded by William Rufus, his third son. The name of The Vaults on a pub sign has long been used to inform passers-by that the building was used to store liquors and wines.