Cock, 15-16 Spon End
| These premises have been known by different names during their history: | FROM | TO | NAME |
| 1636 | 1756 | COCK | |
| 1636 | ? | UNICORN | |
| 1822 | 1850 | PEACOCK | |
 Spon End with the Malt Shovel on the right
This was an ancient sign in use since the fourteenth century. It was often an indication that in the past cock fighting took place in the yard. In the seventeenth century the sign may also have advertised the sale of cock ale, which was 'ale mixed with the jelly of minced meat of a boiled cock, besides other ingredients'.
In 1636 we learn of a messuage called the COCK or the sign of the UNICORN in Coventry County, Spon End or Coundon in Urchinfield, owned by the Browne family. This address gave us some puzzlement until we read in the Victoria County History that in 1410-11 Coundon's south-western boundary followed the Sherbourne as far as Richard Burton's mill on Spon Bridge, and in the 1570s the name Coundon in Urchinfield was given as the location of property said to be 'near the city' and 'on the south side of the street there', which in 1700 was described simply as in 'Urchin Field adjoining Spon End'. This all sealed the association with this pub.
In 1756 two soldiers were billeted here.
In 1682 there is a record of a Thomas Hunton (being the son of John Hunton) who kept the Cock 'without Spon Bar-gate'. This is believed to have been at 15 and 16 Spon End and a photograph of c1913 in John Ashby's Spon Street and Spon End shows a large timber framed building that stood about where the Bethel Chapel stands today. By then it had already ceased to be an inn and it does not appear in any directories either. To the rear stood Cock Court.
The Cock is thought to have been named the PEACOCK in its later years. | |||
LICENSEES:17th century: John Hunton | |||
OWNERS:17th century John & Elizabeth Browne 17th century Ralph Browne 1636/37 Abraham Browne | |||
 Street plan of 1851 | |||
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Google map location (Due to the scaling on old maps, the pin location might not be 100% accurate.) | |||