Coventry Cross facts for kids
The replica of the cross was erected in 1976.
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| Coordinates | 52°24′30″N 1°30′31″W / 52.40822°N 1.50858°W |
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| Location | Coventry |
| Type | Market Cross |
| Beginning date | c.1300, 1423, 1544, 1976 |
The Coventry Cross was a very important landmark in the city of Coventry, England. It stood in a busy area, like a modern version of the old market crosses found in many towns long ago. These crosses were often at the heart of a town's market.
Contents
History of the Coventry Cross
What is a Market Cross?
A market cross was a public monument, usually a stone cross, built in the market square of a town or city. They were places where people traded goods, made announcements, and sometimes even held public events.
The First Crosses in Coventry
From the 1300s, a cross stood in Coventry's market area. This early cross was likely a simple stone shaft with a cross on top. It was a central spot for the market and public gatherings.
Building a New Cross in the 1400s
In 1423, the city leaders decided to build a bigger, better cross. The mayor, Henry Peyto, helped make this happen. This new cross was described as standing on eight pillars. It was an important feature of the city for over 100 years. By 1537, parts of it became unsafe and had to be removed.
The Magnificent Tudor Cross
By 1506, people were already talking about replacing the old cross. A fund was started to collect money. In 1541, a wealthy man named Sir William Hollyes, who was born near Coventry, left £200 in his will for a new cross. Building started that same year.
This new cross was truly amazing! It was 57 feet tall and had four sections. It was decorated with many statues, including kings like Henry VI and King John. There were also statues of saints and other figures. Some statues were even brought from a nearby old monastery called Whitefriars.
The cross was finished in 1544. It was painted in bright colors and covered with gold, making it shine! People said that on a sunny day, it was almost too bright to look at directly. A nearby pub, the Golden Cross, was probably named after this sparkling monument.
In 1608, the city repaired the cross. They even replaced a statue of Jesus with one of Lady Godiva. Later, in 1650, some royal symbols were removed from the cross. However, by 1688, major restoration work was done, and the cross was re-gilded, making it shine brightly once more.
This grand cross stood for about 200 years. But eventually, it started to decay. In 1753 and 1755, the top two sections had to be taken down because they were dangerous. Finally, in 1771, the Coventry Council decided to remove the cross completely. Its parts were reused elsewhere.
Today, three of the original statues still exist. Two are in St Mary's Guildhall, and one of Henry VI is in the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.
Why was Henry VI important to Coventry?
Henry VI was a king who was very important to the people of Coventry. He was part of the House of Lancaster, which Coventry strongly supported during the Wars of the Roses. People in Coventry admired him greatly, and a special devotion to "Henry the Martyr" grew after his death. This devotion was so strong that even the Pope looked into miracles linked to him! This special connection ended when monasteries were closed down during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
The Modern Replica Cross
In the 1930s, there was an idea to build a copy of the 1544 cross. Work finally began in the 1960s, and the new cross was officially revealed in 1976. It stands about 100 meters from where the original cross was. This modern version has four levels and is surrounded by steps, just like the old one.
In 2007, the city council thought about moving the cross to a new public square. But people in Coventry said they didn't want it moved. Later, in 2018, the council wanted to take it down. Many people signed a petition to stop this, but it didn't work. By January 2019, the replica cross had been removed.
Images for kids
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The replica of the cross was erected in 1976.
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Tudor Coventry Cross as shown on Bradford's Map 1748/9
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The statue of Henry VI as it stands in the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.
