Summary

A short stretch of the medieval city wall, forming part of boundary of Bonds Hospital, which is still visible above ground and which is a scheduled monument.

Monument Type(s):

• TOWN DEFENCES (Later Medieval to 17th Century - 1351 AD to 1667 AD)
• TOWN WALL (Later Medieval to 17th Century - 1351 AD to 1667 AD)

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument COVSAM14: Coventry city walls: near Bond's Hospital

Full description

1> 20c: Short stretch forming part of boundary of Bonds Hospital. Main stretch
60' long. In good state 10' covered in creeper. Red sandstone ashlar. NE end
has been rebuilt in brick (although stone visible on inner face) and outer S
end partly renewed in stone. Level of ground inside the wall slightly higher
than outside.
2> This section of the Town Wall was almost the last to be built, sometime between the years 1522 and 1530. The masons in charge of the work were Thomas Midlemore and William Hawton and the total cost was over £150. At the point marked by this plaque a radical change of constructive occurs; the foundations to the east being almost twice the width of those to the west. This was necessary to combat the difficulties of water-logging owing to the nearness of the River Sherbourne and its feeders, one of which flowed beneath this spot. It was faced both on the interior and exterior with dressed sandstone blocks which retained an inner core of quarry rubble bonded by heavy mortar. The wall was built upon earlier earthen ramparts thrown up by the digging of a large ditch lying eight feet from the north face which formed the earlier medieval defences.
3> Correspondance relating to changes in workmanship along this stretch of the wall.

<1> AM107, - (--MONOGRAPH). SCT663.

<2> 1971, Proposed Wording for a Plaque on the City Wall at Bond's Hospital (TEXT). SCT1959.

<3> Gooder E, 1971, Correspondance relating to a stretch of the city wall at Bond's Hospital (-CORRESPONDENCE). SCT1960.

<4> Historical Association, Coventry Branch, 1971, Coventry's Town Wall (-PUBLICATION). SCT1581.

Sources and Further Reading

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• ECT680 - Conservation Management Plan Condition Survey for Medieval Defences

Related records

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