St Mary's Guildhall, Coventry
Coventry's ancient guildhall is considered the finest in the country and the grandest of the city's surviving medieval secular buildings, still in use for civic functions to this day. Most of the complex dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries and features a great hall as its major room with other chambers around the adjoining courtyard. The complex is entered from Bayley Lane through a vaulted gateway arch standing immediately south of the ruins of St Michael's cathedral.
The great hall is the showpiece here and is remarkable for its impressive interior beneath a richly carved timber roof, restored to the original 15th century design following bomb damage during the Coventry Blitz in 1940; the structural woodwork appears to have been entirely renewed though many of the carved bosses and seated angel figures appear to have survived the damage (it isn't clear to what extent these are original or restored owing to their postwar repainting which disguises any blend of old and new).
The focal point of the interior is the great window at the northern end which retains its 15th century stained glass depicting nine kings set within simulated niches and appears to have been the work of one of the royal glaziers. Below the window (protected behind glass) is a large tapestry dating back to c1500, another significant medieval survival.
St Mary's Guildhall would be a worthy visitor attraction anywhere else but sadly Coventry's council authorities have long neglected its potential, generally only opening to visitors Sun-Thurs but not at weekends in the more tourist friendly months. There is some hope things may change with some more enlightened individuals reviewing the situation. It is currently closed throughout 2020 for renovation and archaeological investigation.
St Mary's Guildhall, Coventry
Coventry's ancient guildhall is considered the finest in the country and the grandest of the city's surviving medieval secular buildings, still in use for civic functions to this day. Most of the complex dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries and features a great hall as its major room with other chambers around the adjoining courtyard. The complex is entered from Bayley Lane through a vaulted gateway arch standing immediately south of the ruins of St Michael's cathedral.
The great hall is the showpiece here and is remarkable for its impressive interior beneath a richly carved timber roof, restored to the original 15th century design following bomb damage during the Coventry Blitz in 1940; the structural woodwork appears to have been entirely renewed though many of the carved bosses and seated angel figures appear to have survived the damage (it isn't clear to what extent these are original or restored owing to their postwar repainting which disguises any blend of old and new).
The focal point of the interior is the great window at the northern end which retains its 15th century stained glass depicting nine kings set within simulated niches and appears to have been the work of one of the royal glaziers. Below the window (protected behind glass) is a large tapestry dating back to c1500, another significant medieval survival.
St Mary's Guildhall would be a worthy visitor attraction anywhere else but sadly Coventry's council authorities have long neglected its potential, generally only opening to visitors Sun-Thurs but not at weekends in the more tourist friendly months. There is some hope things may change with some more enlightened individuals reviewing the situation. It is currently closed throughout 2020 for renovation and archaeological investigation.