Coventry siege castle

Has been described as a Certain Siege Work

There are no visible remains

NameCoventry siege castle
Alternative Names
Historic CountryWarwickshire
Modern AuthorityCoventry
1974 AuthorityWest Midlands
Civil ParishCoventry

In 1143 the priory was turned into a fortress by Robert Marmion, and the monks were temporarily dispossessed. (VCH, 1969)

In 1143 the monks of the priory were for a time dispossessed of their church and monastic buildings, which were turned into a fortress during the strife between the earl of Chester and Robert Marmion (Matt. Paris, Chron. Maj. (Rolls Ser.), ii, 177). (VCH 1908)

Eodem anno Robertus Marmium, vir bellicosus, qui monachos Coventrenses a suo monasterio expulerat, et de ecclesia illa castellum fecerat, dum contra hostes decertaret, inter praedones sous anti ipsum monasterium solus peremptus est, et excommunicatus morte depascitur sempiterna. (Matthew Paris from Luard)

in 1143 warrior Robert Marmion used the partially built priory as his stronghold in an ultimately failed attempt to take control of Coventry castle from Earl Ranulf of Chester. He threw out the resident monks and fortified the church, surrounding it by a defensive trench of which remains have been excavated. (Historic Coventy).

Gatehouse Comments

A research project, lead by Professor Oliver Creighton, is examining, in detail, the sieges of the Anarchy and should through more light on the historical sources and surviving archaeological remains. The results of this project are due to be published in 2016. (See University of Exeter website)

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSP336791
Latitude52.4088897705078
Longitude-1.50691998004913
Eastings433600
Northings279100
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Goodall, John, 2011, The English Castle 1066-1650 (Yale University Press) p. 97
  • Soden, Iain, 2005, Coventry: The Hidden History p. 42
  • Rylatt, Margaret and Mason, Paul, 2003, The Archaeology of the Medieval Cathedral and Priory of St. Mary, Coventry (City Development Directorate,
  • Coventry City Council) p. 137
  • Salter, Mike, 1992, Castles and Moated Mansions of Warwickshire (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 27
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 485
  • Stephens, W.B. (ed), 1969, VCH Warwickshire Vol. 8 p. 125 online transcription
  • Page, Wm. (ed), 1908, VCH Warwickshire Vol. 2 p. 52-3 online transcription

Antiquarian

  • Dugdale, Wm., 1656, The Antiquities of Warwickshire (Thomas Warren) p. 101 online copy

Primary Sources

  • Luard, H.R (ed), 1874, Matthaei Parisiensis monachi Sancti Albani. Chronica majora (Rolls Series 57) Vol. 2 p. 177 online copy