Coventry Crosses

AD. Hi. Thanks for the reply to my post. I have written several posts to you and then scrapped them, hard to find the right words - I'm scrapping words again. First, anything that happens in my lifetime I cannot see it as historical. To me the Coventry Cross was historical. I first came across it in 1951 in a London Museum - to me, something by the King of England, named by him, ordered by him, had to be of greatness to the people of a small struggling community like the Coventry of the day. I read more - earls, Dukes, mayors, there was no ending to the people involved. It had to be more outstanding than the one in Abingdon that had been built the year before. Abingdon - eight steps, eight sides, Coventry - four steps , six sides, but a more elaborate cross. The specifications of both are in the British Library. Was there anything else in history built in Coventry by such people? I know nothing of the ornament built that Rob mentioned, apart from the picture, so should not have made remarks. Who gave it the name, built it, paid for it, etc?

Hi Kaga Thanks for your reply and I'm glad you've not been offended by my question and reply. If it did I want you to know I certainly didn't mean for it to come across as rude or to offend. Like you, I find it hard to consider anything that I have a living memory of as 'historical' and often have to remind myself that one day all this WILL be history too. And a lot of the most memorable/documented history comes from times of massive change and upheaval, for good or bad. I can't answer your questions as I've absolutely no idea as to the answers. I'd far more expect you to be able to know than me! Given the number of memories and information you provide on here I'd say that you're far more valuable as an historical reminder that the Cross .

I agree entirely, but then how many of the monuments etc do the current generation actually bother to understand their significance or meaning? Or is it just something that's there as a placemarker? Undoubtedly they do create more of an awareness than just stuff written in books as at least some people will look at the plaques or whatever who would otherwise never have any idea of the circumstances (and I include myself in that to quite a degree). The trouble is even those that do read and are extremely well educated often repeat just as many mistakes from the past as anyone else. Look at governments throughout the ages - very well educated, some even in history, but yet still seem to go round and round in circles doing the same things as generations before but with a snazzy new name. It's like the comment that new tower blocks are 'pointless' - for all the pros and cons of them one of the things you can't say about them is they're pointless. They serve a demand and function. We have a large student population - they need somewhere to live. These provide that for them. The other options of course being landlords buying up large amounts of residential property, converting it to multiple occupancy and entire swathes of residential areas becoming student ghettos with no-one in during summer. Not to mention the opportunities to buy a home taken away from both local people and those looking to build a home and future in our city. At this moment in time maybe they do seem a bit out of proportion, but I'm sure a lot of what we now consider historic was at the time too. The spires and churches etc would have seemed absolutely massive skyscrapers at the time when most people lived in single storey wooden shacks. Over time they will fit in as the city continues to reinvent and rebuild itself to meet the needs of its current and future citizens.

AD. I am not offended with anything anyone says. I love it. I did things that didn't conform to other people's ways, so I've always had people disbelieving or thinking I was eccentric. Sir William Holles, Lord Mayor of London 1540, was a son of Thomas Holles of the village of Stoke near Coventry. Thomas a member of the Trinity Guild at Coventry. So little Willie would have ridden his little pony round the fields and woods round Knob Hill (Ball Hill) when a kid, the giant churches of Trinity and St Michael ever looking down on him - so it's not hard to see why he donated, supported the King, and wanted the cross to be built. The whole family had a good name for their kind actions, they built almshouses, gave money for clothes, coal etc.

Telegraph article yesterday

Everywhere you walked near Coventry there were centuries old woods and sleep-soaked farm houses. In Redfin Lane, between Kenilworth and Berkswell, an old fashioned stone farmhouse, of which some quaint traditions, did exist. 'The Image House', as it was called, was so named from the fact that several of the statues from the Coventry Cross were removed and set up there on it being pulled down in the year 1771 by an Alderman of the city named Brockle, who at that time possessed the place. We are told that the statue of King Henry for many years stood as a faithful sentinel by the side of the back door of the farmhouse, whilst other figures had more lowly positions. One small statue of St Peter was placed on a wall, and the farmyard cock, perched on his shoulder, would wake the morn, whilst St Christopher was at his feet wallowing in the mud with the pigs. But then rescued and happily restored to St Mary's Hall.

The house is still there.

I tried to find Redfin Lane on Google Earth, without success. There is a Red Lane between Kenilworth and Berkswell, and an old farmhouse set back to the west of the road, but I couldn't be sure that was it.

Image House is in Hob Lane. This is from an article in the Telegraph in 1969 when the house was up for sale.

Thanks Annewiggy - still couldn't find it. Have to wait until my next visit to Coventry!

My thanks to Annewiggy, had no idea it was still there, has to be over two centuries old.

Here's a mention, and another similar one

JW - Have a look at Google maps for Hob Lane, Berkswell. Find a set of modern barns with distinctive green roofs on the north side of the road. Look down below them and across the other side of the road for a set of buildings set back from the road and with a distinctive 'L' shaped driveway which is light coloured. Image House is the building with three or four cars parked outside (including a red one and a white one). I actually found the exact location by looking on National Library of Scotland Maps - Side By Side Images. I use the 6 inch maps and then zoom in on the modern side to find what I am looking for - easier to do than to explain. Hope this helps.

The Historic England listing notice says late 16th/early 17th century.

So I should find the turnpike - or the site of it - 7 3/4miles from Warwick - thanks MR! And when I follow Not Local's instructions, there it is, 7 3/4 miles from Warwick. And the edges of the fields north of Hob Lane suggest that Red Lane may previously have continued around to the farmhouse before being bypassed by Hob Lane - just a guess.