Books on Coventry

Thanks, Neil, yes. I mailed John last night to ask if there was a possibility of a re-print and he guided me to it.

Does it have the Tavern of Berkswell in it, and where it was?

“Berkswell Tavern“

Thank you Midland Red, tried to trace but without luck.

Helen, Do you have any book you can direct me to about Vikings in Coventry at any time please, as I can't find them in an historical book. For that matter neither can I find any book that places Leofric in Coventry, or building anything in Coventry.

Here's a book that states Cheylesmore Castle was the residence of Leofric, but it was published in 1857, so not exactly a reliable source. Ladye Godiva (or Coventry in the days of Leofric, earl of Mercia) It does seem to be part comedy and part supposedly historic fact. I suspect you wanted something nearer a contemporary date.

As good as any is A History of Coventry * by David McGrory and I'd have referenced it before but I'd put books away for Christmas. He pulls together older theories and some more modern thinking and research. The problem is that there is very little detailed history of Coventry prior to the Leet Books. Much of the city's past is made up of snippets in books or documents made long after the events. Even understanding of Leofric and Godiva is limited by what's known, what's myth and what's mything... sorry missing. For instance, some theories put St Osburga's on Barrs Hill but I have my doubts that replacement monastery built by Cnut/Godiva would have been so far away from where St Mary's was built. The city has been built over many times and finding even the medieval stuff is difficult. David McGrory writes that St Osburga might be one of the Sisterhood of Barking, due to a single reference. That's not a criticism on my part, that's as good as it gets. As records get translated and/or uploaded, there may be a well of untapped evidence eg I've wondered what the Vatican's library might have on Coventry but I'll let someone else follow that thread. * The price varies a lot but it originally cost £18.99.

Thank you everyone for your helpful advice, working on it.

Mcsporran thank you. I agree with you, but still a good read, in fact I loved it.