New Historical Research

Medieval town plans did normally develop spontaneously and large areas were laid out in a planned manner. This can be seen on later large-scale  maps as a series of long narrow plots called 'burgage' (literally town) plots. Far Gosford Street was no exception, although there is a major difference between the north and the south sides. The north side has a more regular 'classic' series of plots, which used to stretch to a 'back' lane, later called All Saints Lane, much of which is now under Sky Blue Way. Beyond lay the 'Priors' Field or 'Harnall' Field.

Plots on the south side were considerably more variable in width and in length so that there was no single line for the rear boundary onto Shortley Field, which lay to the south.  Some were linked with 'closes' (enclosed small fields) at the rear. From their shape they do not have the appearance of town plots and may have originated as farmsteads before the street was overwhelmed by the expansion of the medieval town.

The rich documentary record that is lodged in Coventry  Archives (the History Centre) has provided much information on ownership of the plots from the medieval period to the present day. It is clear that this has taken place within the boundaries of the medieval plots, despite all the rebuilding in the street over the centuries. Walking along the street today, the ancient boundaries can still be seen as a change in architectural style between neighbouring  buildings. This is usually demarcated by a vertical line in the front elevation.

The medieval monasteries and guilds owned much property in the street and a major change in ownership took place in the mid 16th century after their dissolution. The crown confiscated the properties and quickly sold them on. Many were purchased by Coventry Corporation, but these, in turn, were sold in the 17th and 18th centuries, so that by the beginning of the 19th century the great majority of the ancient plots were in private ownership:

Examples of past ownerships:

121-124 FGS: St Michael's church  from 16th century (timber frame building)

126-130 FGS: St Michaels' church   from 16th century (1920s century shops)

131-139  FGS: Charterhouse monastery to 1530s

Callice Court: 155 FGS  part of the site on Henry Hay's chantry; 1410-11

152 FGS: Trinity guild to 1547, Coventry Corporation from 1552 to 1660

27 FGS: Holy Trinity church from medieval period to 20th century

52-57 FGS: St Nicholas (Corpus Christi) to 1547; Coventry Corporation 1552-1651

59-61 FGS: St Nicholas Guild (Corpus Christi) to 1547; Coventry Corporation 1552-1651  (including service road)

63and 63A FGS: St John's Hospital to 1530s; Old Grammar School to 20th century

Pitts Head (Gosford Arms): part former 65 FGS Weavers Company,  medieval? to 1686; to Richard Harris 1686 part former 66 FGS Our Lady's Altar, St Michaels Church to c1550; Drapers Company 1550s to1625; Reginald and Henry Horne 1625