The decapitated Lord: Medieval slaughter at the castle! Yellows vs Blues: Coventry's most violent elections revealed! Kings, rebellions and rioters! Civil war comes to the city! Boiled in beer! Baked in his oven! The most dreadful Christmas calamities in Coventry's history are inside! Coventry has one of the darkest histories on record. With sieges, battles, crimes, riots, disasters, all-out attempts at demolition and some truly dreadful punishments to boot, you'll never see the city in the same way again.

The author, well known as the writer of more books on the city than anyone, explores Coventry's history from Roman times through Earl Leofric, Godiva and the Norman castle, to monastic houses, including St Mary's priory. Coventry has a rich medieval heritage, and rose to power in the Wars of the Roses, when the royal court moved there. Major themes in the city's history are discussed, through previously unknown source material, covering the Siege and Civil War, education, health, the church, crime and punishment, and industries from medieval weaving to modern car-building.

A Century of Coventry offers an insight into the daily lives and living conditions of local people and gives the reader glimpses and details of familiar places during a century of unprecedented change. Many aspects of Coventry's recent history are covered, famous occasions and individuals are remembered and the impact of national and international events is witnessed. A Century of Coventry provides a striking account of the changes that have so altered the city's appearance and records the process of transformation. Drawing on detailed local knowledge of the community, and illustrated with a wealth of black-and-white photographs, this book recalls what Coventry has lost in terms of buildings, traditions and ways of life. It also acknowledges the regeneration that has taken place and celebrates the character and energy of local people as they move through the first years of this new century.

Despite the devastation it suffered from German bombs and city planners, Coventry still boasts a fascinating history dating back centuries. The city has played a major part in the economic and cultural life of the country: it was a major centre of bicycle manufacture before becoming the home of many of the country's main car makers; it is home to one of the world's best-loved cathedrals and its beautiful Guildhall; it changed the modern world with Europe's first pedestrian precinct; and has the country's first post-war theatre. Local author David McGrory takes the reader on a fascinating A-Z tour of the city's history, exploring its nooks and crannies, and telling stories of the buildings, places and residents along the way. Fully illustrated with photographs from the past and present, A-Z of Coventrywill appeal to residents and visitors alike.

Coventry has been one of the most important cities in England since the Middle Ages. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Coventry became an industrial centre, renowned for clock and watch manufacturing and later for building cars, bicycles and aircraft. Its significance drew massive air attacks during the Second World War and the historic centre of Coventry was destroyed. The city was rebuilt in the post-war era, including a new cathedral, and the city boomed, then was hard hit by industrial decline in the late twentieth century, but recent decades have seen a gradual recovery, recognised with Coventry becoming the 2021 UK City of Culture. Lost Coventry presents a portrait of this corner of the East Midlands over the last century, showing not only industries and buildings that have gone but also people and street scenes, many popular places of entertainment and much more. This fascinating photographic history of lost Coventry will appeal to all those who live in the area or know it well, as well as those who remember it from previous decades.

Bestselling local author David McGrory takes a fresh look at Coventry during the war years. With over 200 photographs and informative captions, the author explores various aspects of wartime Coventry including the Auxiliary Fire Service, the Home Guard and transport and bomber manufacture at Armstrong Whitworth's plants in Whitley and Baginton. Also illustrated are numerous scenes of the city's destruction including images from the notorious eleven-hour raid of 14 November 1940. This absorbing pictorial collection weaves together many facets of wartime life. Coventry at War will not only evoke memories from this time, but will also inspire readers with its images of hope and strength.

When all the good people of Coventry are abed, the dead wander the streets! Or so it is claimed in 'Haunted Coventry', which features spooky stories galore from the city and surrounding area. Within these pages you will find the Phantom Monk of Priory Row, ghostly grey ladies, a spectre that appears to do the washing up, a phantom lorry, spooky seances, and the Devil himself, rattling chains at Whitefriars - just a taste of the many restless spirits to be found in haunted Coventry. From spectres in the suburbs to haunted pubs, this fascinating collection of strange sightings and happenings in the city is sure to appeal to anyone intrigued by Coventry's haunted heritage.