Butcher Row ('Great' and 'Little')

Butcher Row postcard in colour

I don't think this has been mentioned before. In the 17th century the butchers of Butcher Row had a excise levied on them to supply meat for the men's rations at the barracks. The butchers considered it unjust, opposed the soldiers, one of whom was killed, and others badly hurt. But meat was taken by forcible means, leaders of the mob imprisoned - an estrangement between citizens and military. Military "sent to Coventry" by Coventry citizens.

The way I read it. Now the only people to get sent anywhere in those days were military or convicts. The 17th century saw houses and pubs pulled down to make for a military barracks. This did not please the people of Coventry, on top of that the military issued distress warrants on people. The butchers of Butcher Row had an excise levied on them to supply them with meat, taken by force, so the butchers had to up prices to the people to stay in business. So no decent inhabitant spoke to them, they became entirely isolated. The military hated to be posted to Coventry, 'Sent to Coventry' was a sort of punishment. Later they became more welcome, but at the beginning of the 19th century it flared up again when labourers' wages were reduced. The clergy in control of the parishes influenced the government and fixed the living wage at 8 shillings a week. The clergy paid a retainer in case of war, where they would be officers. The cavalry soldier pay, uniform, food, horse, its food and stables all totalled up to app. 36 shillings a week, so the people starved while the military lived well. Then all the contracts for clothing the military went to northern factories. The mind boggles at our history.

Little Butcher Row close up for Kaga! Collywobbles.

Thanks Prof, much the same as Neil's photo 112 - where do you get them from? Almost 90 years ago I was first wheeled through those streets. I believe when I was little I was frightened they were going to fall on me but then got to like them. To see those photos today makes me think this was a different timescale, a different lifestyle, but somehow it always seemed warm and friendly, and just a short time after, it all disappeared and Coventry never seemed to recapture the warmth and friendly spirit that those streets held. Maybe it was because I was so young, but like the buildings, my speech did have the Coventry twang that I still have today.

Yes Kaga, Coventry twang I am sure you retain, but in no way could it be termed 'sing song' (like the Welsh) as one contributor said when he spoke to a Coventrian after the Blitz.

Thanks to Cliff Berwick - terrific but sad image of one of our favourite parts of old Cov going circa 1936. Some great detail here including what was on West Orchard -

When I was a small boy I would catch the old ambling tram into the city, and make my way to Butcher Row. I was always fascinated with the city's ancient past, here on Butcher Row represented in the street so many centuries ago. It had been famous for its meet and feeding soldiers. The barracks, built and re-arranged on the site and including part of the old Bull Inn, reminds one that the origin of the phrase "Sent to Coventry" probably arose from from the boycotting which the citizens, in the 17th century, used to all military men. At that period the people seemed to think association with soldiers was a thing to be avoided and no decent inhabitant spoke to them. Thus the officers and men found themselves, when in the city, entirely isolated from society, and the different regiments carried the phrase to various places throughout the land. At the time spoken of, the soldiers were often billeted on the tradesmen, and had to perform particular duties for the powers that were. For instance those stationed in the city in the year 1648 had to execute distress warrants on various persons among whom were the butchers who dwelt in Butcher Row, and who had an excise levied upon them to supply meat for the men's rations. The butchers, not liking what they considered to be an unjust seizure, opposed the soldiers, one of whom was killed and others bady hurt, but in the end the meat was taken by forcible means and the leaders of the mob imprisoned. Such scenes as this was due to the feelings between citizen and military, but this ceased and better times prevailed.

Nice read Kaga ?

Here's a coincidence. It's been mentioned on here a few times - William Kimberley's Fish Shop at 24 Butcher Row. I've always noted this one as - and this is another point I've noted on here already - I am friends with Coventry-born engineer Mike Kimberley, who is listed in the Famous Coventrians list and started his working life as a Jaguar apprentice before becoming Colin Chapman's right hand man in the glory days of Lotus Cars and was even Chairman at Lamborghini SpA during his working career. I happened to mention and show Mike the Butcher Row images because of the surname and wondered and William Kimberley was indeed Mike's father's uncle (so his grandfather's brother). He was aware of the connection and had a painting image of the shop but no photo's so was very grateful. Many thanks passed on to the forum as some were taken from here.

Interesting! William would be grand uncle (which people often call great uncle, although 'great' should be used for the generation above, for 'great grand uncle'). I learnt this stuff researching Middlemore family members.

Superb shot of the west end of Little Butcher Row - south side. Looking out towards the opening on to Cross Cheaping at the end. I know I've referenced it before but look how narrow it got! Possibly the best capture of that row section I've seen.