Ancient remains. Wellregulated house of industry. and Trinity church-yards. This splendid edifice is said to have been built COVENTRY. on the model of the cathedral of Lichfield. King Henry caused this cathedral to be levelled with the ground, when he destroyed the neighbouring monastery; and one small fragment, wrought into a dwelling, alone remains of the fair and costly building. A part of the site was again consecrated, in 1776, and is used as a burial-place for Trinity parish. The episcopal palace stood at the north-east corner of St. Michael's churchyard. Some faint traces of the building are still visible. The Grey Friars, or Friars Minors, believed to have settled in Coventry about the year 1234, had at first only an oratory, which was covered with shingles delivered for that purpose from the woods of Kenilworth, by order of King Henry III. The contributions of the devout at length enabled them to raise a splendid monastery and church on the south side of the city. Of the habitable parts of the monastery not any traces remain. The remains of the church consist of a fine steeple, with a spire springing from an octagon. The site of other parts of the building, and the adjacent cemetery, are now used as garden-ground, and the lower part of the tower is converted into a tool-house. The White Friars, or Carmelites, another order of mendicants, first settled in Coventry about the year 1342. A house for their reception was built by Sir John Poultney, four times Lord Mayor of London and, in 1413, Henry V. permitted by license, William Botener to give them a piece of ground 141 feet in length, and forty-five feet in breadth, for the purpose of enlarging their residence. They had also a church. The monastery, subsequently converted into a gentleman's mansion, is now used as a house of industry for the united parishes of St. Michael and the Holy Trinity. The regulations of this establishment reflect high credit on the city. The affairs of the house are superintended by eighteen directors, ten from St. Michael's, and eight from Trinity. They have a common seal, and hold weekly meetings for the dispatch of ordinary business, and stated general meetings for especial purposes. Such of the adult poor as are able, work in the weaving of calicos; and the younger are employed in the throwing of silk (the preparing of the article for the use of ribbon weavers). Cleanliness and good order are generally conspicuous. Distinct from the places of usual residence is a brick building, with windows rendered obscure by wooden screens, for the reception of such females as are admitted for the united purposes of childbed and reformation. There are also cells for solitary confinement. The young are instructed in rudiments of salutary learning, partly by daily tuition, partly by a Sunday-school. A decent room is furnished as a chapel, for such of the aged as may be too infirm to attend parochial service. The castle, within Protection the manor of Cheylesmore, on the south side of the city, was of great extent. According to a MS. copied in the collections towards a history of Coventry, "the monks, in 1278, obtained a licence from Edward I. and converted the land round Cheylesmore into a park, which, in the measure of those days, contained 436 acres of waste lands and woods." Edward III. conferred upon his son, the Black Prince, the dukedom of Cornwall; and, as a part of the estate, he bestowed the reversion of the manor of Cheylesmore. The manor was thus settled on the successive eldest sons of the reigning monarch. Among its privileges were a court-leet, with power to give judgment in such matters as were usually determined before the magistrates for the county of Warwick; and a gaol for felons and other transgressors. The park appears to have been well wooded, and stocked with deer. Edward VI. in 1549, bestowed Cheylesmore, with the park, on John, Duke of Northumberland, and his heirs, as part of the possessions annexed to the duchy of Cornwall. This duke granted a lease of the estate for ninetynine years to the mayor, bailiffs, &c., of Coventry, subject to certain charitable conditions. After the attainder of the duke in 1553, the corporation obtained a grant from Queen Elizabeth to hold the premises for ever in fee ferme, on which occasion they covenanted to observe the well-meant for the young, the aged, and infirm. The manor of Cheyles more. Remains of the castle. Almshouses founded by Thomas Bond, 1506. COVENTRY. intentions of the duke, in regard to the poor inhabitants. The park, which is about three miles in circumference, was inherited by the present Prince of Wales, as Duke of Cornwall; but it has been sold, under the authority of parliament, for the redemption of the land-tax, to the Marquis of Hertford, and is now enclosed. After the ruin of the castle, a manorhouse was constructed in the same situation. Of this building there chiefly remain some pieces of stone-work, connected with mean tenements raised on the site, which indicate the original massy character of the edifice. Coventry-cross, a fabric of extensive celebrity, stood near the centre of the present corn-market. A cross on this spot was first erected in 1423, but a more costly pile was substituted in the 16th century. Having fallen to ruin, it was removed in the year 1771. The walls of Coventry were nine feet in thickness. At different points were thirty-two towers, and twelve gates. The walls were kept in good repair for nearly three centuries; but after the restoration they were destroyed. Most of the gates, however, were left untouched; several have been taken down within the last half century, and three of them are still remaining. Bablake hospital, situated behind St. John's church, is an ancient and decaying structure, nearly encompassing a small court. A portion of the edifice is occupied by almshouses, founded in 1506, by Thomas Bond, a wealthy trader of Coventry, who had been mayor of the city. The number of almsmen is forty-two, each of whom receives 4s. a week, with a gown, a hat, and several other benefits. The remainder of the building is dedicated to a charity of the most desirable character. In the year 1560, an institution was here founded by the city, for the maintenance and instruction of poor boys. Grey Friar's Grey Friar's hospital, situated near the ruins of the church, formerly hospital. belonging to the Grey Friars, was founded in 1529, by Mr. William Ford of Coventry, for the lodging and assistance of five men and one woman; but various subsequent benefactions have caused the number of pensioners to be augmented to eighteen poor women, besides a nurse, and two aged men each receives 2s. 6d. per week; thirty-four cwt. of coals annually; and a blue gown once in three years. The free-school is indebted for foundation to John Hales, who, in consequence of employments under Henry VIII. had opportunities of making advantageous purchases among the monastic possessions exposed to sale at the dissolution. This school has produced some eminent men, among whom, must be named Sir William Dugdale; but latterly the salaries have sunk almost to sinecure possessions. The present school-room is formed from a portion of the ancient chapel of St. John's hospital. This city acquired affluence and reputation at a comparatively early period, from the success with which it cultivated manufacture. The cloth, caps, and bonnets, made in this city, became articles of important traffic at the commencement of the 15th century; and woollen and broad cloths remained the staple manufacture until the war of 1694, between England and France, when the Turkey trade was destroyed. In the early part of the 16th century Coventry became famous for a manufacture of blue thread, but the art was lost before the year 1581. The manufacture of striped and mixed tammies, and of camblets, shalloons, and calimancoes, flourished through the greater part of the 18th century, but is now almost entirely lost. The principal manufactures at present are those of ribbons and watches; the former of which was introduced upwards of a century ago, and, for the first thirty years, was confined to the hands of a few. It has since spread to a great extent, and, not long since, afforded employment to 16,000 persons in the city and neighbouring towns and villages. At present the ribbon-weavers are in a very distressed state, the wages of the journeymen being less than they were fifty years ago. According to a petition to the House of Commons for relief, presented by P. Moore, Esq. M. P. for the city of Coventry, on the 13th of May, 1819, the first class of workmen had only 10s. for ninety-six hours' hard labour, the third class worked Principal manufac tures. Commemo ration of Lady Godiva's regard for the city. four hours for five farthings, and some worked twelve hours for three half- COVENTRY. pence. The deficiency was obliged to be made up from the poor rates, which amounted to £17,500 a year. The manufacture of watches was not pursued to any great extent in Coventry till within the last fifty years; but it is supposed that more watches are now made here than in London. The Oxford and Coventry canals, the head of which is near Bishop-street, afford great facilities to traffic, and tend much to the commercial prosperity of the place. The great road from London to Liverpool passes through this city. The city of Coventry is divided into ten wards, and is governed by a mayor, ten aldermen, and twenty common-council. The mayor and aldermen are justices of the peace for the city and county. A procession, connected with the principal fair of this city, has attracted much notice, and is allusive to the fantastical story of the Lady Godiva. "To this day, observes Pennant, "the regard of Godiva towards this city is remembered by a procession, on the Friday in Trinity week; and a charming fair one still graces the procession, not literally like the good countess, with her own dishevelled hair, &c., but in linen, closely fitted to her limbs, and of a colour emulating their complexion." The figure, however, which Pennant thus notices, cannot be adduced in proof of the veracity of the traditionary tale, for it is believed to have been first used in the reign of Charles II. Previously to that reign, the mayor was accustomed to go in procession to proclaim the fair, attended by a number of guards in armour. The inhabitants of this city were formerly averse from any correspondence with the military quartered within their limits. A female known to speak to a man in a scarlet coat became directly the object of town scandal. So rigidly, indeed, did the natives abstain from communication, with all who bore his majesty's military commission, that officers were here confined to the interchanges of the mess-room; and in the messroom, the term of "sending a man to Coventry," if you wish to shut him from society, probably originated. The military, however, now meet in this city with every polite attention. There are several Sunday-schools in Coventry, the first of which was established in 1785. The number of dissenting meeting-houses are six, besides a Catholic chapel, and a Quakers' meeting. Coventry affords the title of earl to a family descended from John Coventry (son of William Coventry, of this city) who was Lord Mayor of London, in 1425. The title of baron was bestowed in 1628. Thomas, third Lord Coventry, was created Viscount Deerhurst and Earl of Coventry, in 1697. George William, the seventh earl, succeeded to the family honours in 1809. South-east of Coventry stood a monastery belonging to the Carthusians. The remains are slight, but a commodious dwelling has been raised on the site, which is termed the charter-house, and was lately the residence of Edward Inge, Esq. Whitley-hall, the seat of Lord Hood, is one mile and a half from Coventry, on the south-east. At Stivichall, near Whitley, is the residence of Francis Gregory, Esq. At seat of Lord Exhall, four miles from Coventry on the north-east, Dr. Thomas, the continuator of Dugdale's Antiquities, was many years vicar. Markets, Wednesday and Friday.-Fairs, second Friday after Ash-Wednesday, for linen and woollen cloth; May 2d, June 19th (lasts eight days), the first representing Lady Godiva on horseback, and November 2d, for linen, woollen, and horses.-Mail arrives 5.18 morning, departs 11.2 morning.-Bankers, Little and Co., draw on Smith, Payne, and Co.; Beek and Prime, on Esdaile and Co.; Bunney and Co., on Glyn and Co.; Goodall and Co., on Glyn and Co.-Inns, the Craven Arms, King's Head, and the Castle. * COWBRIDGE, or as it is called in Welch, Pont-faen, the stone bridge, The origin of "sending Coventry." a man to Whitleyhall, the Hood. CowBRIDGE. Curious anecdote this town derives its name. Owen ab resided corrupted from Pont-y-fon, consists of one broad street of considerable length, in the middle of which stands the town-hall and market-house. The figures of a cow and a bridge are the arms of the town. Tradition states that, when the bridge belonging to this place was first built, a cow, worried by dogs, took shelter under one of the arches, where she was so from which entangled by her horns, that she could not be extricated alive. From this trivial circumstance the town is said to have received its name. It is said to have been walled round in the year 1091, by Robert de St. Quintin, one of Fitzhamon's knights. In Leland's time, it had three gates; one at each end of the main thoroughfare, and one on the south, which yet remains. It is governed by two bailiffs, twelve aldermen, and twelve capital burgesses; and it is one of the contributory boroughs to Swansea, Cardiff, and Llantrissent. Here is an excellent grammar-school, which is indebted for a large proportion of its endowment to Sir Llewelln Jenkins. Two fellowships, two scholarships, and an exhibition at Jesus college, Oxford, are appropriated exclusively to young men educated on this foundation. Here is also a private female school of high estimation, in a great part of South Wales. Three miles north from Cowbridge is Ystrad Owen, which derives its name from Owen ab Cyllyn, Prince of Glamorgan, who resided here. A large tumulus in a field adjoining the church-yard is yet shown Glamorgan, as the site of his palace. An annual assembly of bards used to be held here, under the auspices of the proprietors of Hensol. Just beyond Ystrad Owen, stands Ashall, the elegant mansion of Colonel Aubrey. On the other side of Ystrad Owen are some remains of the castle of Talaran, or i Tal-y-faen; a fortress which formed part of the spoils that were wrested' from the natives of this county by the Norman invaders. A little to the eastward stands the ancient mansion of Hensol, the seat of Samuel Richardson, Esq., originally the property of the Jenkins family. On the right, at the distance of a few miles, near the banks of the river Ely, are| the villages of Peterston super Ely, and St. George's; at which some remains of castles are to be found. To the westward of Cardiff is the village || of Llandough, pleasantly situated on a gentle eminence, near the Ely. The church-yard contains an ancient inscribed stone, which seems to have formed a part of a cross; and it is thought a monastery formerly existed here. To the southward stands Cogan, an old Gothic mansion, formerly the residence of the Herberts, tenanted by a farmer, who has converted the great hall into a barn. And about two miles to the southward from this place are the ruins of Dinas Powys, or Denis Powis castle. To the westward from Michaelston-le-Pit, near the village of Wenvoe, are the ruins of Wrinchstone castle. Wenvoe castle is an elegant and spacious stone castle. castellated mansion. At Sully, formerly stood the castle of Sir Robert de Sully, one of Fitzhamon's knights, to whom this part of the country was allotted, and from whom the place received its designation. Market, Tuesday.-Fairs, Tuesday before March 25th, May 4th, and September 23d.—Inn, here. Ruins of the Bear. * COWES (East), a thriving hamlet in the parish of Whippenham, situated on the east side of the Medina river, immediately opposite to West Cowes. Many of the houses are respectable, but the buildings are not arranged in any regular form. From its contiguity to West Cowes, it is a place of some trade, and is one of the ports for landing tobacco, snuff, &c. The custom-house is also in this place. On the brow of a neighbouring hill is a modern edifice, called East Cowes castle, commanding some fine sea views. Its appearance is somewhat novel, as it consists of one square and two round towers, ornamented with battlements. 1 * COWES (West). In the parish of Northwood, situated on the declivity of a steep eminence, on the west side of the mouth of the Medina, and now a large and populous place. The streets are narrow and ill-built; but from the manner in which they rise one above another from the water's edge, they have a singular and not unpleasing appearance, both from the sea and the opposite side of the river. Many handsome houses, inhabited by respectable families, have been built in the upper part of this town, and in the vicinity. The trade carried on here is extensive, particularly in provisions, and other articles used in shipping. The harbour is both perfectly safe and convenient, and its road affords excellent shelter in severe weather; the anchorage being so good that vessels seldom drift with any wind. The convenience of this town for bathing has of late years occasioned it to become the resort of much fashionable company. The number of inhabitants is continually varying, but that of the general residents is upwards of 2,000. West Cowes castle, at the entrance of the harbour, was also built by Henry VIII.; it consists principally of a battery, in the form of a crescent. Here are an assembly-room, and numbers of genteel lodging houses; the accommodations generally are good. Steam vessels go from this place to Portsmouth and Southampton every day, Sunday excepted. The bathing machines are stationed on a fine beach to the west of the castle; and near this spot stands the pleasant seat called Egypt. Several ships of the line have been built here. Near the town is Bartonhouse, the property of the Marquis of Clanricarde. The London mail comes to this place from Southampton every day except Monday, but the hour of arrival is uncertain; it returns every day except Saturday, at four o'clock in the afternoon, in summer and winter.-Inns, the Fountain, and the Vine. Convenient and fashion able resort for bathing. Extraor on the estate of + COWTHORPE. At this village is the estate of Lord Petre; on which may be seen the famous oak, exceeding in size even the Greendale dinary oak oak, at Welbeck, in Nottinghamshire. The principal branch was rent off by a storm in 1718, and being accurately measured, was found to contain Lord Petr upwards of five tons of timber. Its present circumference, at the ground, is sixty feet; its principal limb extends forty-five feet from the trunk; and its shadow is said to cover nearly half an acre. Here was found, in 1749, the head of a stag, with the horns entire, which measured six feet between their extremities. |