St. Mary's Cathedral Site, Bull Ring

November 1938

EXCAVATIONS ON THE SITE OF ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL, BULL RING (now Trinity Street)

When under-pinning the Blue Coat School and other premises at the rear of Trinity Street, quite a lot of very interesting stonework was discovered. In one place the stone was so massive that I believe the back portion of the pillars which are to be clearly seen in Priory Row was discovered. About ten or twelve walls were found, most of them running East to West, but three walls ran North to South. The front of this Cathedral is said to have resembled Lichfield Cathedral. The width was from the south end of the Rev. Bryan's house, which stood on the south side of Priory Row, to Iron-monger Row, and the outer wall here was built within six feet of the 13th century pottery kilns mentioned in a previous story, and during excavations, several pieces of pottery were found, also a quantity of the material used in the making of vessels. At one time I thought the kiln was closed down on the building of the church, but discovering what I have, I believe the kiln was used for baking the vessels for use by the builders of the church, and closed on its completion. In one place near to which we found a number of burials, was an older wall, which may have been a wall of the Abbey, or Minster of Godiva's time, and was in its original position. Another wall having been rebuilt contained a beautiful arch key stone of an earlier church, though partly broken. Before the walls of this church of the 13th century were built, a quarry for the stone required was made on the site, and after the rubble had been thrown back, some-times to a depth of 15 to 16 feet, the wall was built on the rubble. At the depth of about 8 feet near the school, and on the floor level of the building being erected, a stone coffin lid was found, having on its top a carving of a sword with decorations in the form of four horse shoes, and a ring in their centre. No coffin was found beneath, although probing with a bar took place. Some experts think it is of Celtic design, others of the 13th century. The ivory handle of a knife or dagger was found with one of the skeletons, a great number of which were found. These remains have been collected, and stored in boxes; some of the skulls and jaws were in as good condition as when interred, and 14 to 16 teeth still in their places. Some specimens have been sent to Gulson Road Hospital for doctors to examine. Several skulls are thought to be of young men slain in warfare, they having received blows on the head with a sharp instrument. Two chests of remains have been interred last week (Oct. 12th, 1938) at a depth of 8 feet at the south west corner of the new building, and the other remains will be interred at a later date, with others I expect to find.

The building being erected on the west front of the church is to be called The Tower House, and although iron girders are to give it strength, the front will be in keeping with its neighbouring houses once called the "Lych Gate," and will be ornamented with a figure of Lady, or Countess Godiva on a horse, and also the Coventry "Coat of Arms."

The "Blue Coat" school was at one time called the "Tower House," and was made into a house by the Rev. Bryan, in 1649. In my "Benedictine Museum" I have a picture of this house showing the tracery of the 13th century and two windows, while at its base is a piggery and cowsheds, in which the butchers of old Butcher Row and the Bull Ring kept their animals.

Next month I will write about the Church and its measurements.

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