The Definitive Guide to the History of
Pubs and Beerhouses in Coventry

Drinking in an Old English Town

Godiva, 13 Bull Ring

Lady Godiva was the wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia, in the eleventh century. The story goes that Leofric was being severe on his tenants, which distressed his wife. She asked him to remove his impositions and he agreed to do so - on condition that she rode naked through the streets of the city. She did so, and Leofric kept his word. I have only one record of this pub, in the Census of 1871. Since the Spotted Dog was numbers 12 and 13 Bull Ring, one can only assume that for a short while No.13 separated from No.12.

LICENSEES: 1871 Charles R. Sparkes & watch finisher

Street plan of 1851