Coventry, like many UK cities, boasts a rich and intriguing history. One of the most captivating elements is the origin of place names - from streets to suburbs.
From Allesley to Wyken, we previously delved into the origins of some of Coventry's 40-odd suburbs, their evolution, and a few quirky historical facts. The same curiosity extends to Coventry's street names. We explored how some of the city's streets acquired their peculiar or unusual names.
If you've ever pondered why Burges is simply called that or how The Butts got its name, we have some of the answers.
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All Saints Lane
All Saints Lane may seem fairly nondescript, with terraced house gardens backing onto it on one side and Sky Blue Way thoroughfare on the other, but it has been around for quite some time. Running more or less parallel to Far Gosford Street, from Payne's Lane to Lower Ford Street, All Saints Lane is believed to be a very ancient thoroughfare.
However, it may have only received its name in 1869 when the nearby All Saints Church was constructed. The church on Far Gosford Street, designed by Paull and Robinson in the Early English style, was constructed of red sandstone and lacked both a tower and a steeple.
It featured an aisled and clerestoried nave, a chancel flanked by an organ chamber and a north chapel, and a south-west bell-cote housing one bell. The All Saints parish was established in 1869 from parts of the parishes of Holy Trinity, St Michael, Coventry, and St Peter. The church ceased operations in 1970 and was subsequently demolished, although the churchyard remains as a green oasis on Far Gosford Street, along with some original walls.
Bayley Lane
Interestingly, there are two differing theories regarding the origin of Bayley Lane's name. Dating back to the 14th century, it was once known as 'le Baillive Lone', certainly it was known thus in 1354.
This has led to suggestions its origin is in the word 'bailiff'. However, other historians believe the name may originate from the word 'bailey' – the outer defences of a castle – since the lane likely followed the line of the ditch of the Earls of Chester's castle.
Bayley Lane still retains something of its late medieval flavour, harking back to a bygone age when it was a narrow, curving street lined with timber-framed homes and merchants' shops.
Broadgate
Broadgate's name is simple in origin, it has its roots in the broad gate of or main approach to the castle of the Earls of Chester, referred to in the charter of Hugh, Earl of Chester, in the late 12th century.
While the exact location of the castle remains a mystery, it's believed that Broadgate must be close to its original site. The street was widened in 1820 and later transformed into an open square, becoming the heart of the area's reconstruction after World War II.
Today, it's a pedestrianised hub hosting everything from theatre productions to Christmas markets.
Bull Yard
Bull Yard may sound like it has roots in bull-baiting, but it actually takes its name from a renowned pub once located on Smithford Street.
The Bull Inn, or Black Bull Inn, stood where the Upper Precinct is now, near Marks and Spencer and towards Broadgate. This medieval inn, possibly Coventry's most famous, saw its downfall indirectly due to Napoleon.
Originally, inns were upscale establishments offering food, drink, and lodging for affluent travellers. The Bull's history is uncertain, but it's best known for hosting Henry VII in 1485 after his victory over Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth.
At the time, the Bull was home to Mayor Robert Onley, who served the new king a feast featuring 20 sheep, two oxen, 240 gallons of wine, and hundreds of gallons of ale.
Mary Queen of Scots and her entourage were once housed in Coventry when she was causing problems for Queen Elizabeth I. When France declared war on Britain in 1793, the government set up barracks in towns and cities.
In Coventry, it purchased the Black Bull Inn and its grounds for £2,025, demolished the old inn and built barracks.
Burges
The area known as Burges comes from 'bitwene the brugges' (between the bridges), a name in use as far back as 1343.
It was known as St John's Bridge(s) until at least 1851, and by 1869 as Burges. The name originates from the bridges over the River Sherbourne and its tributary the Radford Brook, near St. John's Hospital. Despite being one of the city centre's more run-down areas, its buildings were given a major makeover ahead of Coventry becoming UK City of Culture.
The project to open up the River Sherbourne should help give it a further lift. Once a salubrious shopping district in the 1900s and a vibrant thoroughfare with enviable footfall, this short road now hosts a concentration of bookmakers, fast food outlets and pubs.
The Butts
Butts Road/The Butts might seem a slightly odd name but they are firmly rooted in history and relate to archery. A butt is either an archery target or a mound of earth behind it to catch badly-aimed arrows.
Archery was an important part of medieval warfare and in the 15th century Edward IV made the practice of archery compulsory on Sundays and holidays.
Every town was mandated to establish butts for practice, and streets named as such are typically located near or at these sites, often just outside the town wall for safety reasons. Men aged between 16 and 60 were required to own a bow and could be summoned to serve their country during wartime.
Other leisure activities that might distract men from their archery practice were prohibited. Originally known as Summerlands Butts Lane, by the 1830s the entire road was referred to as The Butts. By 1887, the eastern end of The Butts was renamed Queen's Road.
Cash's Lane
Cash's Lane is named after the ribbon weaving company established by brothers John and Joseph Cash, off Kingfield Road, Foleshill. The Coventry-based company, dating back to 1846, was once one of England's premier silk ribbon manufacturers.
It adapted to provide woven clothing labels, name tags, badges, and anti-counterfeit labels to some of the most renowned names in fashion, sportswear, retail, and major institutions. In 2014, Cash's was saved by its former management team with financial support from Jointak, one of its key Hong Kong-based suppliers. A year later, it inaugurated a new factory on Wheler Road, at the Seven Stars Industrial Estate.
