LIFE IN AN OLD ENGLISH TOWN A HISTORY OF COVENTRY FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES COMPILED FROM OFFICIAL RECORDS (1898)

A well researched book.

Title: LIFE IN AN OLD ENGLISH TOWN A HISTORY OF COVENTRY FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES COMPILED FROM OFFICIAL RECORDS (1898) This is a scanned copy of the original book containing both searchable text and the original graphics. It is provided as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file, you can search for names, places and items which may not be in the index.

Author: Warwickshire historian Mary Dormer Harris (1867 -1936)  Edited by Kenelm Digby Cotes (1856-1917)

Published: SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO. LTD, NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN CO. LTD, 1898

Description: Contents LEOFRIC AND GODIVA, Coventry — Early legends — Early history — Foundation of the monastery—The Confessor’s charter—Riches of the minster —Legend of Godiva—Story of Leofric’s career and family THE BENEDICTINE MONASTREY, The neighbouring country — The monastic orders — Life in a mediaeval monastery — The obedientiarii and their work — hospitality — Lawsuits and journeys undertaken by monks— The bishops and the monks — Abbacy vested in bishop Livesey—His greed—Nunant—Expulsion of the monks— Their return—Feud with the canons about episcopal elections — King John and the Coventry monks — Peace made between monks and canons—Capitular elections a mere form in later times—Place of monastic orders in town history THE CHESTER LORDSHIP Coventry in Domesday — The Earl’s-half passes to the earls of Chester—Character of an English feudal lord—Earl Gernons’ stormy career—Earl Hugh takes part in the rebellion of 1173 —Earl Blondvil’s career and fame—The story of his death and the ” mastiffs ” of Dieulacres—Coventry passes to the De Montalt family THE BEGINNINGS OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT The winning of liberties by towns on secular and ecclesiastical estates — Backwardness of churchmen in granting liberties— Condition of serfs — Coventry men “free burghers”—Their masters : king, prior, and earl—Blondvil’s charter—Liberties modelled on those of Lincoln—Importance of town courts— Cases before the portmanmote — The county court—Henry I I . ‘ s confirmation of the charter—Growth of Coventry— Grant of fair—Coming of the friars PRIOR’S-HALF AND EARL’S-HALF, Struggle for liberty — Division of the town into two estates — Frequency of these divisions—Disputes bred by difference of customs in neighbouring manors—Quarrels between Earl’smen and Prior’s-men in Coventry—Union of the two estates —The disputes continue—The merchant guild—The question of the market — Decision in the prior’s favour—The story of the magician—The trial of the citizens for witchcraft—Their acquittal THE SEIGNIORY OF THE PRIOR AND QUEEN ISABELLA, Defeat of tenants on ecclesiastical estates — Isabella enters into possession as heir of the De Montalts — Feud between the queen and prior—The prior complains of wrong done by the Earl’s-men—The Coventry men gain liberty—Their victory in the incorporation of the city—Dispute closed by the ” Indenture Tripartite” THE CORPOREATION AND THE GUILDS, Ignorance and apathy concerning local affairs at the present, time—Decline of municipal institutions—Powers of a mediaeval corporation — Organization of municipal affairs at Coventry after the purchase of the charter of incorporation—Fresh grants of liberties—Municipal rule takes the form of an oligarchy — History of guilds—The guild merchant of S. Mary — Union of the guilds under the name of the Trinity — Connection of the guilds and corporation — Influence, wealth, and dignity of the town officials—Their busy lives THE CORPORATION AND THE COMMONALTY The grievances of the loaf and pastures — The common and Lammas lands—The council of the Forty-eight becomes an instrument of tryanny — The question of petitions to the leet—Whether they furthered popular control—Presentments to leet — Whether they furthered popular control — Fresh liberties—Confusion in municipal ]finances the result of the Wars of the Roses — General complaints—• Edward IV’s attack on the city liberties—Manifestations of internal discontent COVENTRY AND THE KINGDOM OF ENGLAND Obscurity of Coventry under early kings — Isabella and the friars—The Norfolk duel — Preparations for a king’s visit— Purveyance—Lodging of the king’s retinue — Privilege of sanctuary—Faulkes de Breaute—John Ball taken at Coventry —His teaching — The ”Unlearned Parliament”—Attack on the Church—Lack of reverence to the Sacrament—The king as borrower—Prince Hal in Coventry—The preaching of the hermit—Lollardismin Coventry—Penance and death of martyrs •—Loans to the king for the French War—Presents for the royal princes THE RED AND THE WHITE ROSE, General character of the period — Local warfare and lawsuits — Influence of the duke of Buckingham in the Midlands — Coventry Lancastrian — Fortification of the city — Visit of Henry VI. to the city—Graciousness of king Henry—His visit and offering to S. Michael’s church — The king’s farewell promise — The new charter—Outbreak of the war — Battle of S. Alban’s—Reception of queen Margaret—John Wedurby prepares a pageant — Margaret is .hailed as ” Mother of Meekness”—Council held at Coventry — Fray between the watch and the duke of Somerset’s men — Queen Margaret’s sudden visit—She insits on receiving the same honours as the king—The Court again at Coventry—The queen sees the Corpus Christi plays—The supper at Richard Wood’s—Progress of the war—Lancastrian triumph—The ” Diabolical Parliament”- —Coventry cools towards Lancaster—Henry reproaches the inhabitants—Battle of Northampton—Coventry joins York —Welcome to Edward IV LAST STRUGGLE BETWEEN YORK AND LANCASTER —THE TUDORS, Estrangement of Warwick from Edward IV.—Their different views on foreign policy—Renewal of the war in the north under Robin of Redesdale—Warwick’s communication to the men of Coventry — The battle of Edgecote — Edward a prisoner at Coventry—Execution of the Woodvilles on Gosford Green— Welles’ rebellion in Lincolnshire—Warwick is implicated in the rebellion—Flight of Clarence and Warwick—Warwick espouses the cause of Lancaster, and drives the king from England— Chronicle of the year—Lancastrian restoration—Edward invades England—Offers battle at Coventry—The King-maker at Coventry—Clarence’s desertion—Confiscation of the city’s liberties—Clarence’s mediation—Welcome to prince Edward-— Edward’s subsequent dealings with Coventry—Richard III . tries to ingratiate himself with the citizens—Welcome to Henry VII.—The king’s visit to the city—Simnel’s rebellion—Money for war—Empson recorder—Chronicle of the death of Henry VII.— Loans and troubles—-Plots — The Reformation—Destruction of the churches — Dissolution of the guilds and chantries—Poverty and decay of the city under the Tudors— The purchase of the guild lands—Puritan Coventry . THE LAMMAS LANDS John Bristowe lord of Whitley Manor—His encroachments upon the common land — He claims right of common with the citizens of Coventry—The corporation take revenge on William Bristowe—The mayor and commonalty take possession of the field—The disturbance about the ” Prior’s Waste “—The quarrel with Bristowe continues—Arbitration is tried—The “letter testimonial” of the “aged men”—Temporary settlement of the quarrel—Early career of Laurence Saunders—He is elected chamberlain—He complains of encroachment and surcharging to the prince of Wales—The journey to Ludlow— Decision against Laurence—He submits—The prior takes offence—His complaint—The mayor’s reply—The prior’s rejoinder —Bristowe again—Appeal to Ludlow—The commons rise—The king censures the rioters—Conclusion of the quarrel with Bristowe—Laurence renews his complaint—He is committed to prison—Death of the recorder — Robert Green’s enactments—Rules concerning apprentices—The sale of cloth— Laurence Saunders’ words on Lammas day—The verses on the church door—The corporation appeal to the recorder—• Laurence has hopes of the Court—Fresh verses—The suit is tried in the Star Chamber—Laurence vanishes into the Fleet THE COMPANIES OF THE CRAFTS, The woollen industry in Coventry—The Drapery the selling place for cloth—The method of searching the cloth—The drapers - Power of the merchant class—The subjection of the crafts to the corporation—The fullers and dyers—The workers in iron— Resistance of the crafts—Self-seeking of the crafts—Regulations affecting apprentices—The combinations of the workmen suppressed — Rivalry between the cappers and their workmen —Survival of certain companies DAILY LIFE IN THE TOWN—THE MERCHANTS AND THE MARKET Life in the city by day and night—Types of individuals, hermits, pilgrims, the alchemist—Punishment of crime, stocks, pillory, gaol, the gallows, heads of traitors — Sanitary measures — Measures taken against fire—The deceits of traders and victuallers —The assize of bread and ale—The regulation of market traffic—The country merchant — The Corpus Christi fair—• Men and merchandise—The mayor’s court of Statute Merchant —The travels of the merchant—’Inns—The Botoners—The Onleys — Perils by land and sea — Laurence Cook and the Hanseatic merchants—Adventure of Mr. Wheatley’s servant— Benefactions of the Coventry merchants—Bond, Ford, Haddon, Sir Thomas White—The school and schoolmasters—Education in the Middle Ages—Problems of poverty—The sturdy vagabond DAILY LIFE IN THE TOWN — RELIGION AND AMUSEMENTS OF THE TOWNSFOLK The city churches—Uses to which churches were put—A hospital in time of plague—Provision for services and prayers—The chapels of the crafts—The burial oblations—Monks aud friars quarrel about the funeral candles—Amusements, archery, bullbaiting, strolling players—Illicit amusements, hunting and hawking — Brawling — The affair of the Staffords and Harcourts — Lawlessness on feast days — Quarrels among the citizens—Feasting among the guilds and crafts—Rejoicings on Midsummer eve and S. Peter’s night—The riding of the armed watch—Processions—Mystery plays—Royal visits- Contributions of each craft towards the pageants—Care bestowed on preparations for the plays—The performances of the crafts not identical with the so-called ” Coventry Plays “— Subjects of the performances of the Coventry crafts—The actors—Strange figures among the dramatis personal—Pageants for the welcome of royalty—Hox Tuesday—The waits—The common labour of the town — Commissions of array and muster of soldiers—Hiring of recruits — An inconvenient business—Civic patriotism and civic art—General character of the English burgher OLD COVENTRY AT THE PRESENT DAY, How to spend a day in Coventry, and what to see there—Celebrated inhabitants—Ford’s Hospital—S. Michael’s—S. Mary’s H a l l – Window, roof, tapestry—Trinity Church—Cathedral Ruins— Old Grammar School—S. John’s—Bond’s Hospital .

Language: English

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