St Mary's Guildhall

The stocks at St Mary's Hall

Madame Tussaud, who used to travel before she settled down in London, had her waxworks at St Mary's Hall one year. She stayed in Hay Lane in lodgings and was so affable a woman who told many queer tales of the French Revolution. She stayed in Coventry about three months, not only occupying St Mary's Hall as a waxworks show, but also turning the Mayoress's Parlour into a "Chamber of Horrors".

How fascinating Kaga! No idea that Madame Tussaud was in Coventry.

Mayors of Coventry, St Mary's Hall, 9 Apr 2019 left: John Onley, 1396 and 1418 right: William Whitchurch, 1400 left: Robert Shipley, 1401, 1402 and 1416 right: Richard Sharp, 1433 and 1450

Midland Red, Robert Shippeley lived just opposite the first Coventry Cross. This cross consisted of a very simple arrangement, probably three steps and a plain shaft of local red sandstone. We find that in 1423 the citizens were erecting another one of a more elaborate nature, set on eight pillars, and the street acquired the name of Cross Cheaping. But the cross became so dangerous, 1510 that some parts were removed. It was not totally demolished until 1537. We now come to Sir William Holleys, Knight, Lord Mayor of London 1540 who gave £200 for the building of a beautiful pyramidical structure which succeeded. Sir William was the son of Thomas Holleys, of Stoke, Coventry, a member of Trinity Guild, Coventry.

Another view of the stocks at St Mary's Hall

There were many frequenters of the stocks, among them old George Chittem, alias "Trodge", a ribbon weaver by trade. A real Coventry character, "Trodge" would often, soon as he saw a chance, slip off his boots, cleverly wriggle his feet out of the holes of the stocks, slip through the back-way to the Spread Eagle adjoining, have his glass, then return to the stocks, wriggle his feet back in through the holes, then take a nap. He met his death by drowning in a spring near the Smithfield off Palmer Lane. Another frequenter of the stocks was Charlie Kirk. A watchmaker, he would do his work, that of a brass watch-cock engraver, whilst in the stocks, regardless of the crowd of people who would watch his performance. These two disputed as to which of them the stocks belonged to, and who had sat there the greatest number of times. There was, however, another character, who was known as "Storkey Daffern" who was called 'King of the stocks' but he was earlier than the other two. It was said he would go round the market on Saturday nights, put out the candles, then pick up the candles and eat them, to the disgust and surprise of the stall keepers.

A couple were viewing the beauties of St Mary's when they enquired of a civic official leading to the great hall, who the statue there represented. He jokingly replied "Oh that's a very naughty monk of the neighbouring Monastery. He was very fond of going to Kenilworth for a game of bowls on Saturdays, but was forbidden to do so by his superior - see he's got a ball in his hand. Still he persisted in spite of the warning, and went, and was turned into stone". "Law, you don't say so, poor dear man, how I pities him" said the lady, and then she added seriously, turning to her companion "It's quite true, no doubt, remember Lot's wife." The official here turned and vanished.

Before Sir Skears Rew built the theatre in Smithford Street. The Guild Hall was once the theatre, just before 1800, drama and plays, but 22 June 1805 was the last night. "The School for Scandal" and a pantomine "The Cabe of Merlin". At the time we had defeated Bonaparte - there was a comic song of 32 verses about him being sent to Coventry, visiting every pub in the city and kicked out. The Black Horse will neigh, as he passes Spon End But do not think he'd neigh as a friend The Nags Head, tho' bridled, can't bridle his ire The Tavern at Berkswell will even look shyer And so on. Don't you just love old Cov.

I have just stumbled across an old article in the Coventry Evening Telegraph dated 31st January 1957. This outlines the belief by the then City Chamberlain and custodian of the Hall, Mr J.B. Shelton that there may have possibly been a walled-up secret room and the end of the Undercroft in St Mary's Hall, which had recently been cleared out for use by the City of Coventry Freeman's Guild. Does anyone know this story and whether the mystery was solved?

Sounds as if it may be the Muniments Room at St Mary's which held the City Archives.

There's a day booked where experts will be discussing the tapestry - see event diary. I'm booked in but hope it won't clash with something else I've got coming up.

The Old Council Chamber St Mary's Hall

To my shame, I don't think I ever saw that - magnificent, isn't it!

Oh, it certainly is JW, it's in the right place but a tad too rich for my dining area. (hope you have been safe in the Bonny Hills)