Industrial city and administrative headquarters of Leicestershire, England, on the river Soar; population (1991) 270,500. Industries include food processing, hosiery, footwear, knitwear, engineering, electronics, printing, and plastics.
Founded AD 50 as the Roman Ratae Coritanorum, Leicester is one of the oldest cities in England. The guildhall dates from the 14th century and ruined Bradgate House was the home of Lady Jane Grey.