Supposed to be founded at a very early period. COVENTRY. granted that the city of Coventry and certain villages in its vicinity, should be constitued an entire county of themselves. His charter enacts that the bailiffs of the city shall be sheriffs of the county, and the same coroner preside over both: this charter was confirmed by Edward IV. The greatest length of the county of the city of Coventry, from Bedworth to a Dimensions point near Baginton, in a north-east and south-west direction, is seven of the city. miles and a half; and the greatest breadth, from near Nettle-hill to Brownshill-green, in about an east and west direction, is seven miles and a quarter. The places united with the city of Coventry in the formation of this county are Anstey, Exhall, Foleshill, Keresley, Sow (part of) Stivichall, Stoke, and Wyken. The mayor and aldermen of Coventry are officially justices of the peace for the county, and hold quarter sessions in the same manner, and with the same powers, as counties at large. King Henry intended an act of general kindness to the inhabitants when he granted their prescriptive rights; but his bounty has obviously entailed one privation on many of them; the freeholders of this county, as freeholders, are not entitled to vote on the return of any members to parliament; as servitude alone bestows a qualification on the citizens of Coventry, and with Warwickshire they have not any political connection. This city is supposed to have been founded at a very early period, the final syllable of its appellation being evidently the British Tre, a town. The prefix, given by the Saxons, is supposed to express the circumstance of a covent, or convent, having been erected on the spot. Coventry was certainly not used by the Romans for military purposes. The more ancient town is believed to have stood on the north of the present city, as extensive foundations have been traced in that direction. Rous informs us, that when the traitor Edric invaded Mercia, and destroyed many towns, in 1016, a house of nuns in Coventry, of which a holy virgin named St. Osburg had been sometime abbess, fell a prey to his ferocity. Leland says, that King Canute first founded a nunnery here. In the early part of Monastery Edward the Confessor's reign, Leofric, the fifth Earl of Mercia, and his founded by Countess Godiva (sometimes also called Godifa, Godina, and Goditha), founded a monastery on the ruins of St. Osburg's nunnery. This Leofric was descended from Leofric, Earl of Chester, in the time of Ethelbald, King of Mercia, and appears to have been a man of eminent talents, as he stood high in the consideration of several successive monarchs. Godiva was sister to Thorold, sheriff of Lincolnshire, who founded the abbey of Spalding. Ingulphus says, she was a most beautiful and devout lady. The monastery founded by this distinguished pair, was for an abbot and twenty-four monks of the Benedictine order, and it surpassed all others in the county for amplitude of revenue and splendour of ornaments. Earl Leofric died in the 13th of Edward the Confessor, and was buried in a porch of the monastery which he had founded. The Lady Godiva, besides founding the monastery of Stow, near Lincoln, bequeathed her whole treasury to this religious house; in the other porch of the monastery church of which her remains were interred. The tolls and service of this appear to have been distressingly felt by the inhabitants. On this subject the author of the Monasticon writes as follows: The Countess Godiva, bearing an extraordinary affection to this place, often and earnestly besought her husband that, for the love of God and the Blessed Virgin, he would free it from that grievous servitude whereunto it was subject; but he, rebuking her for importuning him in a manner so inconsistent with his profit, commanded that she should thenceforth forbear to move therein; yet she, out of her womanish pertinancy, continued to solicit him, insomuch that he told her if she would ride on horseback naked from one end of the town to the other, in the sight of all the people, he would grant her request. Whereunto she returned 'But will you give me leave so to do?' And he replying 'Yes!' the noble lady upon an appointed day, got on horseback naked, with her hair loose, so that it covered all her body but Leofric, Lady Godiva's affection for this place. 66 her legs, and thus performing her journey, returned with joy to her COVENTRY. husband: who thereupon granted to the inhabitants a charter of freedom. In memory whereof the picture of him and his said lady were set up in a south window of Trinity church, in this city, about King Richard II.'s time, and his right hand holding a charter, with these words written thereon: J Luriche for the love of thee Coventry made tollfree. Staple clothing manufac ture. battle at Gosford Green. Rapin gravely tells us, "that the countess, previous to her riding, commanded all persons to keep within doors, and from their windows, on pain of death: but, notwithstanding this severe penalty, there was one person who could not forbear giving a look, out of curiosity; but it cost him his life." This story appears legendary at the first and slightest glance; but as its memory is still carefully preserved, it would have been improper to pass it over in silence. Coventry, however, has still cause to look with gratitude on the memory of Lady Godiva; as, to the protection afforded by her and her husband, it is evidently indebted for its early consequence. Soon after the Norman conquest, the lordship of Coventry became vested, by the marriage of Lucia, grand-daughter of Leofric, in the Earls of Chester. By the earls of this race was constructed, within the manor of Cheylesmore, on the south side of Coventry, a fortified mansion or castle. In the second of Edward III. the inhabitants received permission to collect a toll towards defraying the expence of enclosing their town ; and in the time of Richard II. the walls, gates, and towers, were completed. Its public buildings now increased, and its traders fixed a staple clothing manufacture in the city. In the year 1397, Richard II. chose the vicinity of Coventry for the scene of a tragic pageant, which led to the loss of his crown and life. When Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, demanded the privilege of vindicating himself by single combat against the accusations of the Duke of Hereford, afterwards Henry IV. the king named Gosford Wager of Green, a plot of considerable extent in the close neighbourhood of Coventry, for the place of projected contest; the particulars of which are given in Froissart, Holinshed, &c. Henry IV. held a parliament here, in 1404, since styled Parliamentum indoctorum, and from sitting in which all lawyers were prohibited. Henry IV. and his queen Margaret, were constant in their attachment to Coventry; and perhaps passed here some of the most tranquil and pleasing hours of their checquered lives. In 1459 a second parliament was held in this city, which was termed by the Yorkists Parliamentum Diabolicum; and all its acts were afterwards reversed. In 1469, the Earl of Rivers and his son John were beheaded on Gosford Green, by order of Sir John Coniers, a commander in the army of northern insurgents, which had obtained some success in the neighbouring county of Oxford. Edward IV. and his queen kept festival here, during the Christmas of 1465. In 1470, the Earl of Warwick entered Coventry with ordnance and warlike stores. Edward, on his approach to Coventry, halted on Gosford Green, and demanded entrance; but finding the city hostile, he resumed his march, and lodged that night at Warwick. When reinstated in power by the victories of Barnet and Tewksbury, he revenged this insult by depriving the citizens of their liberties and franchises; which were restored on paying a fine of 500 marks. Edward kept here the feast of St. George, in 1474. His son, Prince Edward, in the same year, was one of the godfathers to a child of the mayor; and three years afterwards he was made a brother of the guilds of Corpus Christi and St. Trinity. Richard III. visited Coventry, and Richard III. was a spectator of the pageants during the festival of Corpus Christi. Subsequently to the battle of Bosworth, Henry VII. repaired hither, and lodged in the mayor's house. The inhabitants presented him with a £100 and a cup; and Henry conferred knighthood on the mayor. The Edward IV. and his Christmas queen kept here in 1465. witnessed the pa geants. Three before Henry VIII. and his Queen Katharine, in 1510. of Scots confined COVENTRY. city during this reign, contributed £1100 towards the tax levied for the king going into France, in 1490. Henry VIII. and Queen Katharine visited this place in 1510," when there were three pageants set forth; one pageants exhibited at Jordan Well, with the nine orders of angels; one at Broadgate, with divers beautiful damsels; and one at Cross Cheping; and so they passed on to the priory." In 1525, the city was favoured with the presence of the Princess Mary. When the Dukes of Richmond and Norfolk passed through Coventry, in 1534, they were received by the mayor and citizens in their liveries; and after a banquet in the street on horseback, they proceeded to Combe Abbey. The city felt a great shock on the dissolution of monastic houses. Queen Elizabeth, during her progress through this part of the kingdom, in 1565, was received here with a variety of splendid Mary Queen shews and pageants. In 1566, Mary Queen of Scots, was conducted to this city, and was confined as a prisoner in the mayoress's parlour. Three here in 1566. years afterwards she was again brought hither, and kept in confinement at the Bull Inn (on the site of which the barracks now stand) under the care of the Earls of Shrewsbury and Huntingdon. In 1610, James I. addressed a letter to the mayor, aldermen, and sheriffs, and the Archdeacon of Coventry, commanding the inhabitants to receive the sacrament kneeling; and when, in 1619, application was made to this sovereign for a renewal of the city's charter, he refused to grant it until assured that his will in Royal visits. this particular had met with uniform attention. James honoured Coventry with a visit in 1617; at which time a long oration was delivered by Dr. Holland, one of the translators of Camden, dressed in black satin. The Princess Elizabeth and Prince Henry likewise visited Coventry at different times. In the civil war of Charles I. Coventry, though inclined to play an active part, escaped those miseries to which many other armed towns were subjected. When the king repaired to Leicester, in 1641, he demanded the attendance of the mayor and sheriffs of this city, but the popular party prevented their acceding to his desire. The Earl of Northampton, at that time the city recorder, in collecting persons friendly to the royal cause, was able to muster only four hundred. The parliamentarians, who wore the colours of Lord Brooke, were so much more numerous, that the recorder made a precipitate retreat, and escaped through a back door of the squabbles. Bull Inn. The ammunition in the town was seized, and removed by Lord Brooke to Warwick castle. When the king sent a herald to demand entrance, he was informed that the citizens would willingly receive his majesty, and 200 of his followers, but no more. Finding the citizens determined to defend themselves, and hearing that Lord Brooke was approaching, he drew off his forces that night. In the following year the city was garrisoned by the parliament. One of the aldermen (Barker) was appointed governor, and a regiment of infantry, and one troop of cavalry, were raised from the most active of the inhabitants. Trenches were cut on the outside of the walls, and sluices were opened at the influx of the river Sherbourn. Some of the gates were stopped up; and before three of them half-moon fortifications were erected. Cannon were planted on all the prinAmazonian cipal towers; and many of the women of the city went by companies into the great park to fill up the quarries, that they might not at a future period harbour the enemy. They were collected together by the sound of a drum, and marched in military order, with mattocks and spades, under the command of an amazon named Adderley, with an Herculean club upon her shoulder; and were conducted from work by one Mary Herbert, who carried a pistol in her hand, which she discharged as a signal of dismissal." The mayor chosen in 1644, found to be not sufficiently hearty in his opposition to the royal cause, was not permitted to serve the office, and the governor was appointed to succeed him. The place remained garrisoned till the end of the year 1659; but on the restoration, Charles II. was promptly proclaimed by the mayor and aldermen, amidst great acclamations of joy. On the day of coronation Smithford-street and Cross Political fortitude and discipline. Manifestations of loyalty. Appointment of bishops, and precedence of titular designation. Cheaping conduits ran claret; and bonfires were lighted in the evening, in COVENTRY testimony of loyalty. James II. was at Coventry in 1687. The streets were then strewed with sand, and the fronts of the houses were whitened, and dressed with green boughs. Soon after the Mercian kingdom was divided into five bishoprics, the see of Lichfield was so far extended as to comprehend the chief part of the former possession of the Cornavii. Peter, elected Bishop of Lichfield in 1075, moved the see to Chester; and Robert de Limesie, in 1102, removed it again to Coventry, tempted, probably, by the riches and reputation of the monastery founded by Earl Leofric. The five succeeding bishops likewise sat at Coventry; styling themselves Coventrice Episcopi only. Hugh Novant, consecrated in 1188, restored the see to Lichfield, though with much opposition from the Benedictine monks of Coventry. In consequence of disputes between the Chapter of Coventry and that of Lichfield, both parties agreed, in the reign of Henry III., that the bishop should be elected both from Coventry and Lichfield; that the precedence in the episcopal title should be given to the former city; that the two chapters should alternately choose their bishop; and that they should form one body, in which the Prior of Coventry should be the principal. From this time the prelate was styled Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield. In the 33d of Henry VIII. an act was passed, "that the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield should be for ever the entire and sole chapter of the bishopric of Coventry and Lichfield; whereof the prior and convent of the dissolved priory of Coventry were heretofore the moiety or half-part.' Such remains the constitution of the bishopric; but on the restoration Bishop Hacket gave the precedence in titular designation to Lichfield, and his example has ever since been followed. The principal parts of the city of Coventry are seated on gently elevated ground, watered by the Radford and Sherbourn brooks. Coventry has three spires, one of pre-eminent beauty, and the others deficient in attraction only from a comparison with St. Michael's, which rise high in the air, and prepare the approaching traveller for an entrance to a place of great population and striking architectural importance. The entrances, however, are uniformly mean and bad; and a person accustomed to contemplate the improved buildings of recent periods, looks in vain for the anticipated affluence of domestic architecture. The streets are very narrow, and the foot-ways are formed of sharp pebbly stones. Coventry has been peculiarly fortunate in escaping conflagration; consequently, it presents the aspect of a city of the sixteenth century; the upper parts of the houses projecting, as was customary in ages when a free circulation of air formed no part of the builder's calculations. Houses replete with the venerable traces of the 15th century are yet standing in several divisions; the freshness of complexion only injured by age, and the main works still firm in massy and almost impregnable oak; but recent improvements have produced many edifices of a modern appearance. Coventry is viewed to much advantage from the north east. St. Michael's church, beautiful and attractive from any point, forms the prominent feature. The spire of Trinity church rises modestly beyond, as though retiring in confessed secondariness of pretensions. The tower of St. John's, and the steeple of the Grey-Friars, ascend on each hand. The spot from which the two steeples that so eminently ornament Coventry are seen with the most striking effect, is on the margin of Priory-Mill Dam, in the neighbourhood of the now desolated priory. The length of the city, from Hill-street-gate to Gosford-gate, is about three quarters of a mile, exclusive of the suburbs. The walls are completely reduced; but traces of them, and of several of the gates are yet discernible. The streets are numerous, and intersect and deviate from each other without any resemblance to regularity of design. St. Michael's church is a beautiful specimen of the Gothic or English style. The most ancient part of the structure is the east end, which was finished in 1395, at the charge of William and Adam Botoner, who were several times St. Michael's spire the most attrac tive. Handsome churches. COVENTRY. Sir Chris topher Wren's opinion of the steeple of St. Michael's. persons. mayors of Coventry. It has a square tower, no portion of which remains blank, though not any superfluous ornament is introduced. The windows are well proportioned, and the buttresses eminently light. In various niches are introduced the figures of saints; and each division is enriched with a bold spread of embroidery and embossed carving. The tower is 136 feet 3 inches in height, and on it stands an octagonal prism, 32 feet 6 inches high, which is supported by eight graceful springing arches. The octagon is surmounted by a battlement, whence proceeds a spire, 130 feet 9 inches in height, adorned with fluting and embossed pilaster-wise. Sir Christopher Wren is said to have pronounced the steeple a masterpiece of the art of building. The body of the church is supposed to have been erected in the time of Henry VI. The whole is of the best character of Gothic. The interior consists of a body and two side aisles, divided by lofty arches with clustered pillars. The windows of the upper story are ornamented with ancient painted glass. Here is a good organ, and in the steeple is a very melodious chime of bells. Trinity church, in the immediate contiguity of St. Michael's, approaches to the cruciform character. From the centre rises a square tower, out of which directly issues a lofty spire. The original spire was blown down in 1664. The new one completed in 1667, is composed of stone, taken from a quarry without Newgate. The entire height from the ground is 237 feet. The east end of the church was taken down in 1786, and rebuilt in a style tolerably consonant to the general character of the structure. The interior is marked by that studious cultivation of twilight gloom so often found in the works of Gothic designers. The monuments are few, but the examiner will not pass entirely without interest the spot sacred to the remains of Philemon Monuments Holland, the translator of Camden's Britannia, and many other works. to eminent St. John's church is a respectable stone building, of the cruciform description, with a low and weighty tower rising from the centre. The interior is plain, and much incumbered by the four massy pillars which support the tower. The land on which this church stands was assigned by Isabel, the queen-mother of Edward III., for the building of a chapel, termed Bablake chapel, in honour of the Saviour and St. John the Baptist; which was finished in five years and dedicated in May, 1350. A residence for the seclusion of an anchorite was anciently constructed in the vicinity of the chapel. After long neglect, it was made a rectory in 1734, and settled on the master of the free-school in Coventry. St. Mary's-hall has attracted Antiquarian the notice of many antiquaries, and is well calculated to convey to the living age a just idea of the magnificence of Coventry, when the city was the resort of devotees, and the favourite chamber of princes. The foundation of the building is connected with the ancient guilds of this city. It is now used for the purposes of civic dignity and festivity by the mayor and corporation. It stands at a short distance on the south from the church of St. Michael. The county-hall, erected in 1785, is well adapted for public business. The front is of stone, and has a rustic basement, with a range of columns supporting a pediment in the centre. The mayor's parlour is a place of official resort for municipal proceedings. The drapers' hall was rebuilt in 1775, on a commodious and desirable plan. The front is a chaste elevation of stone, ornamented with Tuscan pilasters. The barracks, which occupy the site of the Bull Inn, an ancient hotel, were erected in 1793. They are handsome and conveniently arranged for the intended purpose. The face towards the High-street is composed of stone. The new gaol, erected in 1772, is well calculated in size and disposal to its object. The ancient priory stood on the south side of the river Sherbourn. The larger part of its site, now garden-ground, is in a great measure levelled. Some massy fragments of masonry, and several door-cases, at the termination of the buildings which face the Sherbourn, are the only remains of the building. The cathedral of Coventry occupied a place called Hill Close, on a slight declivity from the north side of St. Michael's attractions of St. Mary's hall. The drapers' hall rebuilt in 1775. |