River Sherbourne

Is this where we're talking about? Taken by my grandad, not sure when.

Sort of Davey, those are the remnants of Smithfield Market which was demolished to make way for the building of Trinity Street which opened in 1937. And thank you for posting the picture

The Sherbourne viaduct in 1837. Was it ever really that picturesque?

I'm pretty sure it's the Sowe Viaduct: Sowe Viaduct, near Binley, 2 July 1837

Red sludge contamination - report

Looking at this partial map (after William Hole c.1540-1610, a map of Warwickshire, hand-coloured engraving, published for Michael Drayton's Poly-Olbion), it shows the Cune as separate from the Sherborn (spelling as per the map). The Cune seems to be the river starting in the west beyond Spon End and the Sherborn started in the north of the city and joined the Sowe before meeting the Cune south of the city. I do have a theory that more water used to flow from the north to explain why there was the Babu Lacu. Swanswell lake partly comes from a spring but that joins a stream coming from the north. If some enterprising monks kicked the course of the Sherborn to join the Sowe further north it might explain why the lake slowly dried up. It's also possible that it rained more then and all the rivers were stronger flowing or that the outflow of the lake was more impeded.

I'd not seen this 'painting' before but love the image of the bridge over the Sherbourne....

Another winner Neil, thank you. A great picture, livestock and all.

Yes, it's a brilliant image It did appear in the Old Cathedral thread:

According to this page the Cune was an early name for the Sherbourne, but neither the map nor the CET is a very trustworthy source.

Can I suggest that the River Cune might be the body from which Coundon derives its name? That is, a hill/valley/fort on the Cune. The map shows the course of the river running through just the place.

It seems very likely Walrus. There are several water sources from the west and north west. The map above is the first I've seen showing the Cune. The map shows figures at the springs and there are myths about spring spirits/goddesses. These even go back to the Romans - Celtic-Roman water goddess, Coventina. When you add in that Roman u was a v, you begin to see why nobody really knows where Coventry got its name.

I came across this map in the planning records for October 1962, which seems to show the path of the Sherbourne tunnels under Fairfax St and Cox St.