Coventry

Coventry, city in the metropolitan county of West Midlands, central England. It is an industrial center known for the production of motor vehicles and aircraft engines. Other manufactures include textiles, electrical equipment, and bricks. The city's notable structures include Holy Trinity Church (13th century); Saint Mary's Hall (1450), formerly a merchant's guildhall; and Saint Michael's Cathedral, rebuilt (1962) adjacent to the site of the original edifice (1373-1394), which was almost completely destroyed by bombs during World War II (1939-1945). The nave and spire remained standing and were left as a memorial of the war. Coventry has several institutions of higher learning, including the University of Warwick (1965) and Coventry University (1992, formerly a polytechnic college).

In 1043 a Benedictine monastery was established in Coventry by Leofric, earl of Mercia, and his wife, Lady Godiva. By the 14th century, the town was a trading center known for its textile products. At this time, Coventry had many prosperous guilds, which were noted for performing the town's famous miracle plays. When Coventry was incorporated in 1345, it was one of the largest cities in England. The weaving trade declined in the 17th century and was largely supplanted by the clock- and watchmaking industry. In 1896 the first automobiles in Britain were manufactured here. The first large-scale production of a synthetic fiber began in Coventry in 1905. During World War II, German bombing destroyed the center of the city. Population (2001 estimate) 300,700.