Clan Rising
Coventry Castle today

England · Partial ruin

Coventry Castle

Coventry Castle was an early 12th-century motte-and-bailey fortress in the centre of Coventry, built by Ranulf de Gernon. The castle was demolished in the late 12th century; Caesar's Tower is thought to be the surviving fragment incorporated into St Mary's Guildhall. The tower was later rebuilt after Second World War bombing and contains rooms historically named the Treasury and the 'Mary Queen of Scots' chamber.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1147

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1147

What Coventry Castle looked like in its prime.

A compact motte-and-bailey complex dominated by a squat rectangular stone tower (Caesar's Tower) standing on an earthen motte; the tower is built of warm sandstone ashlar with a base of larger, roughly coursed blocks and narrow vertical slit windows with diamond leaded panes. Timber-framed service ranges and low wooden buildings occupy the surrounding bailey, while a larger stone hall stands adjacent; the tower and bailey are intact and functional in plan and use.

Its story

The story of Coventry Castle.

Ranulf de Gernon's Motte and the Death of Robert Marmion

Coventry Castle was a motte-and-bailey fortress raised in the early 12th century by Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester, in the city of Coventry. Its first known use came during the Anarchy, when Robert Marmion, 1st Baron Marmion of Tamworth, a supporter of King Stephen, expelled the monks from the adjacent priory of Saint Mary and converted it into a fortress, from which he waged a battle against the earl. Marmion perished in that battle.

Ranulf's Siege and Stephen's Destruction of the Castle, 1146–1182

Stephen took Ranulf prisoner in 1146 and forced him to hand over his castles. The earl gave up only some of them, Coventry among those he did surrender. In 1147 he came back for it: those loyal to the king fell back on the castle's defences while Ranulf besieged them, trying to recapture what he had given away. The siege was lifted, and Stephen then destroyed the castle. It was probably repaired afterwards, since it was described as a viable fortification in 1182.

St Mary's Guildhall on the Site and the Queen of Scots in Caesar's Tower

The castle was demolished in the late 12th century and St Mary's Guildhall was built on part of the site. By November 1569, when Mary, Queen of Scots was detained in Caesar's Tower, the guildhall had been built onto it. Which room held her is disputed: one nicknamed the 'Mary Queen of Scots' room was long taken to be the place because of its cell-like appearance, though she was more likely kept in the Old Mayoress's Parlour.

Caesar's Tower, thought to be all that remains of the castle, still survives as part of St Mary's Guildhall, and was rebuilt after bombing in the Second World War. The Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre was built over part of the castle.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1147.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Coventry Castle, including 3 interiors: tower ground floor, the treasury, upper chamber (later 'mary queen of scots' room / old mayoress's parlour), adjacent stone hall facing the bailey. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Exterior approach: base of Caesar's TowerBailey courtyard with service rangesSummit of the motte at the tower's baseTower ground floor, the TreasuryUpper chamber (later 'Mary Queen of Scots' room / Old Mayoress's Parlour)Adjacent stone hall facing the bailey

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Whose castle

Clans who held Coventry Castle.

The families that held Coventry Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Gernon

    Built in the early 12th century by Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester, who besieged it in 1147 to win it back from King Stephen.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Coventry Castle.

Coventry Cathedral, EnglandCathedralCoventry Cathedral0 km awayCoventry Building Society Arena, EnglandStadiumCoventry Building Society Arena5 km awaySt Andrew's, EnglandStadiumSt Andrew's26 km away

Questions about Coventry Castle

What is the history of Coventry Castle?

Coventry Castle was built in the early 12th century as a motte-and-bailey fortress by Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester. Its first known use came during The Anarchy, when Robert Marmion expelled the monks from the adjacent priory and converted it into a fortress. Ranulf besieged it in 1147, and the castle was demolished in the late 12th century; Caesar’s Tower was later rebuilt after Second World War bombing.

What is inside Coventry Castle?

Inside Coventry Castle’s surviving Caesar’s Tower are the ground-floor Treasury and the upper chamber known as the “Mary Queen of Scots” room. The tower is incorporated into St Mary’s Guildhall, which also includes an adjacent stone hall facing the bailey. Mary, Queen of Scots was detained in the tower in November 1569, although she was likely held in the Old Mayoress’s Parlour.

Why was Coventry Castle built, and what was it used for?

Coventry Castle was built as a fortress, first by Ranulf de Gernon and then used by Robert Marmion after he expelled the monks from the adjacent priory. It served as a defensive stronghold during The Anarchy and the conflict between Ranulf and King Stephen. Its later surviving tower became part of St Mary’s Guildhall rather than continuing as a complete castle.

Where is Coventry Castle?

Coventry Castle is in the centre of Coventry, England. It was a motte-and-bailey castle in the city, and its surviving Caesar’s Tower forms part of St Mary’s Guildhall. Part of the former castle site is also covered by the Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre.

When was Coventry Castle built?

Coventry Castle was built in the early 12th century. The record does not give a recorded year for its first construction, although 1147 is a documented year in its history, when Ranulf de Gernon besieged the castle. The castle was later described as a viable fortification in 1182.

Was Coventry Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Coventry Castle was besieged in 1147 by Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester. Those loyal to King Stephen retreated to the castle’s defences while Ranulf tried to recapture it after having handed it over to the king. After the siege was lifted, King Stephen destroyed the castle, although it was probably later repaired.

Which family or clan held Coventry Castle?

The Gernon family is associated with Coventry Castle through Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester. He built Coventry Castle in the early 12th century and besieged it in 1147 to win it back from King Stephen. The supplied family claim does not establish a longer period of family possession.

What did Coventry Castle look like in its prime?

Coventry Castle was a compact motte-and-bailey complex dominated by a squat rectangular sandstone tower on an earthen motte. Caesar’s Tower had warm sandstone ashlar, larger roughly coursed blocks at its base, and narrow vertical slit windows with diamond-leaded panes. Timber-framed service ranges and low wooden buildings occupied the bailey, with a larger stone hall beside it.

Is Coventry Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Coventry Castle is only partially standing today. The castle was demolished in the late 12th century, and Caesar’s Tower is thought to be the surviving fragment, incorporated into St Mary’s Guildhall. The tower was rebuilt after bombing during the Second World War, while part of the former castle site was later covered by the Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre.

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