A family bearing the old English name of Leofric appears frequently in the annals of Leicester during the 13th and 14th centuries. It has the distinction of heading the long roll of Leicester Aldermen, for in the year 1209 William, the son of Leveric, was called Alderman of the Guild. More than a hundred years later, the family was still flourishing, and produced at least three members who rose to some prominence about the middle of the 14th century, John, William and Richard. John Leverich, who entered the Guild Merchant in 1314, had a house in the old High Street, and led an active life in the service of the town. Amongst other municipal functions he filled the Mayor's seat in 1335-6, and for several years was chosen to represent the Borough in Parliament, travelling both to counts: "In wine given to him" (i.e., John Leverich) "coming from Parliament telling the gossip (narrand' rumores) to the Mayor and others, 4d." William Leverich, who in the year 1354 was living in the Swinesmarket, represented the Borough in Parliament in 1339. Richard Leverich, whose goods were valued in 1336 at the sum of sixty shillings, no inconsiderable amount, was twice Mayor, and for some years Coroner, and he was also a Parliamentary Burgess. His second Mayoralty was distinguished by the visit to Leicester of the King and Queen of England, who came to attend the funeral of Earl Henry of Lancaster.
Another family of some note was named Alsi. One of the witnesses of Earl Robert Bossu's Charter in 1159 was Amfredus, the son of Alsi, and from that time onwards we hear of many persons who bore the name. Between 1260 and 1338 two John Alsis, presumably father and son, held most of the public offices of the town, and one or other of them was Mayor on ten occasions. They seem to have been wealthy, for in 1336 the son's goods were valued at the large sum of one hundred and twenty shillings. The richest householder at that time was Will o' the Waynhouse, whose personal goods were assessed at one hundred and thirty shillings. The Waynhouses were very prosperous burgesses in
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