Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. Coventry is the ninth largest city in England with a population of 304,746 (2002 estimate).Coventry is famous for its involvement in the British motor industry, its Cathedral and the legendary exploits of Lady Godiva.Coventry is traditionally believed to have been established in the year 1043 with the founding of a Benedictine Abbey by Leofric, Earl of Mercia and his wife Lady Godiva. Current evidence suggests that this abbey was probably in existence by 1022, therefore Leofric and Godiva most likely endowed it around 1043. In time, a market was established at the abbey gates and the settlement expanded.
Coventry Cathedral is Coventry's most well known landmark and visitor attraction. The original 14th century cathedral was largely destroyed by German bombing during the war, leaving only the outer walls and spire. The new Coventry Cathedral was opened in 1962 next to the ruins of the old. It was designed by Basil Spence and contains the tapestry, "Christ in Majesty" by Graham Sutherland and the bronze statue of St Michael and the Devil by Jacob Epstein. Benjamin Britten's War Requiem, regarded by some as his masterpiece, was written for the opening of the new Cathedral.
Another major visitor attraction in Coventry is the Coventry Transport Museum in the city centre which has the largest collection of British made road vehicles in the world. The most notable exhibits are the world speed record breaking cars, Thrust2 and ThrustSSC.
The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is a major art gallery in the city. Just outside Coventry is the Lunt Fort; a reconstructed Roman fort. And nearby is the Midland Air Museum next to Coventry Airport.Coventry, dominated by its stunning state of the art Cathedral, has wide pedestranised streets, modern architecture, good shopping facilities, fashionable restaurants, luxurious modern hotels, parks and gardens, theatres, and sports venues. A city of modern urban planning.Coventry’s history stretches back to the eleventh century. The first record of the tale of Lady Godiva, whose name is associated with Coventry, dates from 1235 with ‘peeping Tom’ a later addition. Visitors to Coventry can see the equestrian statue of Lady Godiva in Broadgate, overlooked by an effigy of peeping Tom in Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre. An updated version of her ride through Coventry is held annually in June, with live music, children’s theatre and an old time fayre.
Coventry’s early economy derived from cloth manufacturing and leather, later came metal, clock and watch making. Coventry developed into one of the four largest towns outside London. During the Civil War Coventry took sides with the Parliamentarians against Charles I. Royalist prisoners were held in the town and it is thought the phrase, ‘sent to Coventry’ originates from this time.The building of the Coventry canal in 1768-69, and the railway in 1838 improved communications, and brought a large increase in manufacturing and population. Cash’s ribbon weaving and Singer sewing machines were founded in the city. James Starley produced the first ‘bone-shaker’ in 1868. In 1896 the first motorcar was produced in the city, manufactured by Daimler. Triumph motorcycles appeared soon after. Factories grew in size and diversity, and during the war years much of Britain’s armoured vehicles and munitions were mass produced in Coventry.
