The west side of the Burges in the early 1900s, viewed from Hales Street. The first few buildings on the right, where The Unicorn stood, would later be demolished for the new Corporation Street in 1931.
In 1702 Coventry Corporation let this pub to J. Sherwood. In 1720 J. Itchenor had recently bought it from the Corporation and let it to T. Smith. In 1756 eight soldiers were billeted here. A document in the City Records implies that the pub was new at this time as it states that N. Lawton held land that later became the Unicorn and he died in 1758.
Then the pub changes hands rapidly. T. Itchenor sold it to R. Ballard for £80 in 1778. In 1779 it was given by K. Oldham to S. Oldham, who in the same year sold it to R. Ballard and Lowe In 1841. J. Ballard leaves it to G. Downes.
In 1899 Phillips and Marriott were leasing it on an annual tenancy for £60 per annum from Truman, Hanbury and Co Ltd of Burton on Trent. Here it is called the 'Unicorn Vaults'. After just one year the tenency lapsed upon notice from the owners. On 7th October 1909 the pub closed. The building was demolished in 1931 to make way for the new Corporation Street.
The unicorn is a legendary animal, which has a horse's body with a single long horn, supposedly possessing magical powers. The pub name has heraldic origins. The unicorn supported the Scottish Royal Arms, and when James IV of Scotland became James I of England he brought the unicorn into the English Royal Arms, replacing the Welsh Dragon. The unicorn is also in the arms of the Wax Chandlers, the Goldsmiths and the Apothecaries. |
