The Vaults 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.
