County of the City of Coventry

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The County of the City of Coventry was a former English county, (officially a County corporate) which existed between 1451 and 1842.

The county covered an area of around 20 square miles and contained the city of Coventry and the surrounding villages of Ansty, Asthull, Biggin, Caludon, Exhall, Foleshill, Harnell, Horwell, Binley, Radford, Stoke, Styvechale, Wood End, Wyken, Walsgrave.

History

Coventry was originally a part of the English county of Warwickshire. However during the medieval period Coventry became an important city in its own right.

King Henry VI granted Coventry the status of a county in itself, largely to reward the city for the support the city had given him. This county status enabled Coventry to control its own assize and gaol, and the city's bailiffs became sheriffs – officers to the king. Coventry remained a separate county, until disputes over ratings with the villages which formed the county resulted in the county being abolished by the 'Coventry Boundary Act of 1842' which re-merged Coventry with Warwickshire.

The county covered an area similar to that covered by the modern city. Apart from Ansty and Exhall, all of the places which formed part of the county are now within the city boundaries.

Reference

Coventry: History and Guide, by David McGrory (1993) p42-43 and 89.

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