History of Coventry
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History of Coventry
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Local Information
Coventry Misc Links
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The history of Coventry goes back at least 2000 years with the presence of the Roman army nearby in the area known as Baginton. When Boudicca and her army were defeated, all the captured horses were brought to Lunt Fort in Baginton to be retrained for use by the Romans.
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The city is famous for the ride by Lady Godiva who it is claimed rode through the city naked on a horse to stop the local people having to pay taxes. She certainly was real but if she did make the ride it was probably wearing servant's clothes. Peeping Tom was added to the story later.
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The city was very popular with members of the royal family and in the 1250's what was to become a royal palace was built. Edward II and Queen Isabella stayed there as did their grandson, Edward the Black Prince. Much of the city's coat of arms has its origins with the famous fighting prince who won his spurs fighting in France. For example, the latin phrase 'Camera Principis' refers to the 'Prince's Chamber' in the Guildhall, named after a visit by the Black Prince.
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It is also claimed that St George who slew the dragon, was born in Coventry. A walk around the city will reveal many references to the patron saint of England.
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| The city has a very large collection of road vehicles housed at 'The Museum of British Road Transport', an art gallery and museum that tells the story of the last one thousand years, the finest guild hall in the country dating back to 1342 and a unique collection of medieval buildings. It also has the first pedestrian precinct built in Europe. |
