Sent to Coventry

When people are shunned and ostracised in the UK it is often said that they have been "sent to Coventry". This article explores why being sent to Coventry is associated with hostility and unfriendliness and what impact being sent to Coventry has had on the city's perceived reputation.

Coventry is one of England's oldest cities with 1,000 years of history and the city has played a major part in English and world history. This was especially so during the English civil war, which was fought between 1642 and 1649. Coventry decided to support Oliver Cromwell in this war and this was very significant because the Coventry Town Wall made the city one of the most secure cities in England. It is this fortification that was to become a key factor in the "sent to Coventry" story.

During the Civil War Scottish Royalist Soldiers captured at the Battle of Preston in 1648 were sent to Coventry to be incarcerated. Upon arrival in Coventry they were accommodated in Saint John the Baptist Church in Fleet Street. While they were confined in the church they caused a lot of damage, smashing all of the intricate and beautiful stained glass windows. It was decided to allow these Royalist prisoners to roam freely within Coventry because the Town Wall would make it difficult for them to escape. However, the local people of Coventry shunned and ostracised the prisoners. Nobody would talk to them and they were made to feel unwelcome.

Saint John the Baptist Church is still in Fleet Street and is open to visitors and worshipers. The stained glass windows you see today are replacements of course, some date back to the Victorian era and some are as young as 60 years old. The younger windows were replacements following bomb blast damage during World War II inflicted on Coventry by the Germans.

Cromwell died in 1658 from what is thought to have been septicaemia and the Republic and Commonwealth of England eventually fell into disarray. King Charles II returned to England from exile and after negotiations a new parliament was established.

The Coventry Town Wall was demolished by King Charles II upon the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 in revenge for Coventry's support of Cromwell. What had taken 150 years to build was destroyed over the next three years. Never again would Coventry be such a fortress and wield such power. Cromwell's body was exhumed and a posthumous execution was performed on it! This was done on the 12th anniversary of King Charles I execution of 30th January 1649.

So the saying being "sent to Coventry" has nothing to do with the city being unfriendly, or being a dire place to visit, work or live. The people of Coventry are very friendly and welcoming; it is a multi-cultural city and a city at ease with itself.
Are there some unsavoury people in Coventry? Yes there are, just as there are in London, Birmingham, Leicester and any other city or town.

Is Coventry an attractive city to visit? Yes in parts it is beautiful. It must be remembered that the city centre was devastated during World War II and what was a beautiful medieval city was almost completely destroyed. Coventry has many interesting places to see as you would expect in a city with 1,000 years of history.

Critics often comment on some poor design in the city centre and the shopping areas are criticised by some. The city was rapidly re-built in the 50's, 60's and 70's and much of this design and architecture is looking outdated. However, the precinct shopping concept that was to become the main shopping area of Coventry city centre was considered revolutionary when it first opened in the 1960's and it is still a very safe way to shop with no traffic to worry about.

There are some super attractions in Coventry; we have one of the best collections in the world of historic cars, motorbikes, cycles, trucks and buses along with other vehicles at the Coventry Transport Museum.

We have one of the most iconic Cathedrals in the world which is along side the ruin of the medieval Cathedral which was destroyed by fire bombs in World War II.

We have the magnificent Herbert Art Gallery & Museum which will tell in detail the fascinating story of the historic City of Coventry.

All of this and much more are the Coventry Attractions that make our city a great place to visit.

Outside of the city centre there are some lovely and very historic parts of Coventry; go to Earlsdon, Chapelfields and Spon End to see what was the heart of the Coventry watch making industry, where highly skilled craftsmen made precision timepieces in the top-shops; these were workshops above their living quarters. Many of these heritage buildings remain and are in use as private dwellings or businesses. You can spot them by the blue heritage plaque on the building.

Coventry is a very rural city with many farms within the city boundary and many beautiful walks in peaceful countryside. There are some beautiful parks in Coventry to be enjoyed all year around. There are city centre parks such as Lady Herbert's Gardens and Greyfriars Green to enjoy. Many visitors and workers in the city centre relax in these gardens, enjoying the favourable Coventry weather that the city benefits from.

There are many exciting improvements being carried out in preparation for the London Olympics 2012 because Coventry is playing host to Olympic Football at the City of Coventry Stadium. Ticket sales for these Olympic football matches in Coventry are selling well, so far the only venue outselling Coventry is Wembley Stadium. Coventry will put out the welcome matt to all of these Olympic Games fans as we always do to visitors to Coventry.

So, Sent To Coventry? Lucky you!