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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.
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