Old Cathedral and Church of St Michael

I never had the joy of viewing the old Cathedral intact, just shell and spire and goodness knows how many times my friends and I went up to the top after counting the steps, and how is it we all came up with something different. A lot of fun for 6d. I know a lot of folk think it's a waste of upkeep but looking at it from afar brought lots of comfort after the war. My only thoughts now are I wonder for how long. I should imagine there have been many lost souls just sat in there for consolation before and after the war years and of course still do. I hope it stays for ever. Prof, my parents were married in Holy Trinity (1936) and every time we used to talk about it my mum in her later years used to chime in and say 'We were married there you know' and we used to wait for her to say it!

I remember, at about eight, being allowed to go into town on the bus with the boy next door (a year younger) without an adult accompanying us. We climbed up the Cathedral tower, and it seemed exciting. I also remember seeing the sword of Stalingrad, which was on tour after the war ended. It was placed where the shop was at the base of the tower. On another occasion at the hustings we listened to the candidates speaking to a small crowd gathered at the foot of the Council House steps, where they spoke from the oriel window (like Queen Elizabeth I had done from Whitefriars).

I was out last week opposite our house over by the sea wall up here on the Moray Coast and met a couple who apparently originally came from Coventry. He had been a policeman in the city 1950's-60's albeit he was born in Scotland, and his wife, Coventry. The first thing we established during the conversation was that they had been married in Holy Trinity! As an aside, I mentioned the Forum and he was going to look it up when they got home, so hopefully new member will be enrolled!

Dreamtime, Life just happened for me, I climbed those steps before the war, but it was in the fifties a young Coventry lady suggested we climb them - didn't cost us anything, but once we got our breath back she said, "You know if you were to molest me no one would know". Sure was a lot of fun without paying sixpence. Sorry mods, your imagination?

I am now of the opinion that I misidentified the chapel on my posts 346 and 348 because on p.66 of my book, David McGrory "The City of Coventry Images from the Past" shows the Lady Chapel, which is obviously immediately left of the Sanctuary. I think this is right because the East Window of the chapel is unlike the East Window in 346, larger and has a centre figure of Mary. The text mentions that window or another was a memorial to Prince Albert (p.81). I think this book is one of my most precious possessions, the photos are marvellous and the text so informative. If I did not have it I would want it as a birthday present. Meanwhile I look for another book on Coventry as I have a book token to spend. I now think, having looked at a plan, that my two posts are of the Girdler's Chapel, which has an East Window, and is near the door that led to the descending steps, replaced now by the Queen's steps to the new Cathedral.

Nevertheless Prof, they are beautiful pictures.

Thanks Dreamtime, they were given me by an American friend whose father had them, on my visit to Philadelphia years back now. If you could see the Lady Chapel from David McGrory's book though you would like that too! Hope I am not breaking any rules, however!

Helen F These sort of chests generally stood in their own sort of an archway that showed them off better. I believe there is a similar chest in Michelham Priory down here, not sure if the decoration is the same, that squared pattern was everywhere in the old days as you must know, even the back wall to a King's bedroom, lintels above fire places I have a feeling that chest in Coventry held old oil lamps of some sort, that may have been placed on wall brackets, would that be possible? Anything mentioned in any book?

Prof, That's a great picture, thank you. I think before we can read this topic we need to step back a little in time, and look at the Cathedral as it once was. As we approach this great church with its noble spire you see on the right many ancient buildings, but as one stands in the churchyard there is a stone-block, possibly where the gentry dismounted, then as you look upwards it is not only the great height of the spire that attracts one, but the coloured effect of the friendly appearance of sandstone-purple mullioned triple arched windows, beautified with coloured glass, all seen through a grass and tree vista - no creepers are allowed to spoil our views. Now we can resume inside and to this topic, the great pillars that rise up over of the cloister, chapels etc.

Here, the north aisle interior:

And another: Seen elsewhere but how stunning!

More info, Helen F, on the chest:

We rarely see the porch to St Michael's so here are two photos:

Dreamtime. I was amused by your story about your mother. Someone very like her in that respect (a lovely lady) would always say when mentioning her son, "he married a French girl, you know!" When we met the son's wife she was delightful and charming, but we did not hear anything about her from our elderly friend.

Prof. Your pictures prod the mind - post 373 the eagle was golden, and at odd times shafts of light caught it, making it dance and sparkle. I can only think now would it have been specially placed for such, and close to it there was 'I know not what you would call it' but at one time all those flags were placed in it a further array of colour near the eagle.