Trinity Street, Bull Ring

October 1938

EXCAVATIONS IN TRINITY STREET

Extensive excavations have been taking place at the back of the hoardings in the "Old Bull Ring," now Trinity Street, which once was the west front of the 13th century Cathedral of St. Mary. This site is one which I have long hoped to see revealed, and now it is an accomplished fact. Its interest is more than I can describe on paper. For a time no more work will take place, but at a later date other work will be put in hand on the same site. It is necessary to explain this site, for so much misunderstanding exists amongst the public, and from grandparents and parents there passes on to the children of today a lot of traditional stories told in good faith about this Cathedral, but which are only legends. Thousands of people believe that an underground passage exists which leads to many various places, viz, Whitley, Coombe, Caludon, and by far the majority of people, to Kenilworth. The proof they give for this is that either a man never returned, or otherwise his dog. What rubbish some people will believe, and yet how often the real truth of the matter, which can only be proved by excavations, is doubted. It is true that an archway called the Gate House existed in the Bull Ring, which led to the precincts of the Monastery, Cathedral, and Priory. This was the only portion of the building at the west front existing until 1704. By some it was known as the stone arch leading to the Priory Court, and in the City Council records of June 1st, 1704, an Order appears:

"That notice be given to Mrs. Cave-King to give satisfaction for the said stone arch, which her workmen have undermined and thrown down, and that the same be rebuilt." But this order was never carried into effect, for after some litigation the ground was sold to Mrs. Cave-King for £5, and a public house, called "The Dog," and later "The Spotted Dog," built on the site. This archway was destroyed in the making of the beer cellars, but two portions were left standing, and were discovered during the past few weeks. The full depth has not been excavated, but in digging at the rear it would appear the arch was completely demolished, and the opening filled in with small pieces of stone.

When pulling down the old inn two years ago a book of charges for taxes on windows for 1741 was found, and some names familiar today are shown as living in "Cross Cheaping Ward."

John Blythe, 6/-; Francis Blick, 2/- (It was Edward Blick who built the first baths in a garden at the bottom of Palmer Lane in 1715 - these have been found at a depth of nine feet); John Hewitt, 6/- (who was mayor in 1750, 1758, and 1760); Jeremy Goodhall, 2/- (this family was well known, for in 1703 Matthew Goodhall was mayor, and a Jeremy Goodhall was chief of police about 1825, and was notorious in that he provided drink as well as canes for his police during voting at elections - the drink for bribing, and the canes to be used by his police against his opposing side); Alderman T. Fox, 12/- (Thomas Fox was mayor in 1736); John Taylor, 6/- (he was mayor in 1740-41); William Grascome, 6/- (his house was opposite "The Dog Inn," and was built by Thomas Grascome in 1558, being attached to the Meal Hall, where the poor were fed by the monks, another of the Grascomes lived in the houses - then one house, called the Lych Gate - in Priory Row, on which the flowers now hang); John Gullson (spelt with two 'l's'), 26/- (this would be the grandfather of the John Gulson of the Gulson Library).

Owing to an error in last month's issue the date of erection of St. Johns Church was given as 1380 - this should have been 1350.

Previous page: Bablake Excavations, Co-op Site, West Orchard

This page: Trinity Street, Bull Ring

Next page: St. Mary's Cathedral Site, Bull Ring