William Wyggeston

The main object of our trip was to visit my 93 year-old aunt, in her residential home, part of the hospital endowed by William Wyggeston (1456-1536). She keeps well, despite failing mobility, and is very well cared for.

William Wyggeston (or William of Wigston) was a wool merchant, Mayor of Leicester in 1499 and 1510, and was MP for Leicester in 1504. He devoted his wealth to charitable works, and formed Wyggeston's Hospital in the centre of Leicester near St Martin's Church (now the cathedral) in 1513; this housed 12 poor men and 12 poor women; the hospital moved to Hinckley Road in 1869.

This sculpture stands at the entrance; it was carved in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the opening of Wyggeston's Hospital and is copied from his statue on the clock tower in the centre of town, with the addition of a sheep.