Sent to Coventry
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, 05-08-2010 at 05:57 PM (5356 Views)
The phrase "sent to Coventry" means that no-one is taling to you at the moment. It is thought that the phrase originated during the English Civil War, in the 1640s, when Royalist soldiers were being held in the city. Apparently they would be allowed to wander through the streets, but found that the residents refused to speak to them.
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/s...-coventry.html
The Royalist soldiers were held in St John's church which is in the City centre. It is a nice church, and was the favourite church of an old Carmelite Monk we used to know. He would often sit in contemplation after wandering the city.
The Royalists were held in Parliamentary Coventry as it had a city wall built in the 14th Century. During the Restoration of the Monarchy, Coventry's wall was then ordered to be pulled down by Charles II. Only the gates, and parts of the walls were left. This was to ensure that cities that had supported Parliament's cause could not be used as fortified towns in the future. Otherwise Coventry may have had a wall as impressive as Chester or York.
Parts of the wall, and a couple of gates still survive today. I pass them on my way to work, when I go on the bus, and it is nice to reflect upon their age and the part they played in the country's history.
Cook Street Gate
An older picture.
The crenellations on the top were added later, as the second photo shows.
Swanswell Gate
There are remnants of the city wall around the city too.
Coventry's industrial past meant that the tourist opportunities these offered have not been capitalised upon. Thus they remain relatively hidden to the casual tourist. There are plans afoot to unify the City's best areas, so maybe the towers and walls will come to prominence again.
More information can be found here.
http://www.historiccoventry.co.uk/wa...uarewatchtower