Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Sunday, 16 July 2023

Rebuilding Coventry Cross


Yesterday the BBC News website reported on the unveiling of the re-sited reconstruction of the sixteenth century Coventry Cross in the heard of the historic city. The original was a rebuilding of an earlier structure, and was completed in 1544, and survived until the  1770s. Recreated in 1976 from drawings of the original it then faced removal as part of replanning in the city by 2007. Dismantled in 2021 it has now been re-erected close to Holy Trinity church, and not far from the original site.

I recall visiting Coventry in 1963 and being intrigued by engravings of the then long destroyed Cross. In recent years I had also read about the proposed removal of the modern replacement. It was therefore a delight to read of its return to the city centre.

The BBC report, with links to previous articles about the Cross, can be read at Modern replica of ancient city landmark unveiled

There is a detailed account of the history of the Cross, its predecessors and of its design and decay from Wikipedia at Coventry Cross


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The article says the cross contains a 3D-printed statue of King Henry VI. I wonder if that means any passing old Etonians will feel obliged to salute it! :-)

Regards

John R Ramsden