Free Tours in Exeter to Show the Royal History of the City
With 2023 being the year of King Charles’ coronation, it seems fitting that Exeter will have a series of free tours that will let us find out more about Royal visits here over the centuries. With plenty of fascinating stories to cover, this is sure to be a wonderful opportunity to find out about local history.
Facts About Exeter’s History
This tour will cover many of the city’s most interesting historical moments, but so much has happened here since the Romans founded Isca in AD 55 that a short tour can’t possibly cover it all. The history of Exeter since then includes numerous battles, power struggles, and ambitious construction projects. Events such as the siege by the Prayer Book rebels, which lasted a month, are worthy of a tour in their own right.
The history of the entertainment industry in Exeter is also a subject worth investigating. The first mention of theatrical representation here appears to be from the mid-14th century when the Bishop stepped in to stop a satirical street performance from taking place. The 18th century had important events like the first performance at the Seven Stars Inn, which became a regular theatre venue and was followed by a theatre on Waterbeer Street and then the New Theatre on Bedford Circus. In terms of sport, rugby, football, and cricket all have long histories here, although the degree of success achieved in each sport varies.
It’s also worth noting that the history of gambling in Exeter is relatively unexplored, although it’s known that the Roman settlers were fond of dice games. With a lack of casinos throughout its history, many of the city’s residents have now discovered online gambling options at sites like BonusFinder UK. This service compares offers at casinos such as Rialto and LeoVegas, looking at areas such as their welcome bonuses and the payment methods accepted. Slots and classic table games are provided on all of these sites, giving a convenient way to try some of the most popular casino games.
When and Where Are the Tours?
These special Red Coat Guided Tours begin with the first date on 23 April, and will also be run on 8 May and 17 June. Running for 90 minutes and suitable for people of all ages, each tour begins at the Hooker Statue at 11.15 am. If you’re interested in joining one of them, you need to book your place in advance on the Corn Exchange site
The guide will talk about Royal visitors starting with Alfred the Great driving out the Danish Vikings who had arrived the year before and strengthening the defences to try and avoid further attacks. We’ll also hear about a Viking warrior King, William of Orange and the Tudor King who gave his sword to Exeter in the 15th century out of gratitude for the locals’ brave defence against the Duke of York.
This Royal walking tour seems like an excellent opportunity to find out more about some of the critical moments that Exeter has lived through, but there’s so much more to find out that it’s best looked at as a starting point for anyone interested in discovering all about the stories and characters associated with this city.
