15 
The tree stood on high ground, and at no great distance, near the 
river, stood an ancient mansion, still existing, formerly belonging to 
the Wigston family, and where, in the reign of Elizabeth, some of the 
Martin Marprelate tracts were surreptitiously printed. From hence 
the King proceeded on his march to Coventry. In a letter, entitled 
“ News from the City of Norwich,” dated August the 26th, it is stated 
—‘In this great and general distraction of several counties, there is 
most certain note given by credible information that there are great 
store of troops on Dunsmore Heath, who do violently take away arms 
by night, and thereby strike a great terror into the inhabitants, it 
being also for certain reported that the King intends to be there on the 
24th of this month.” In the middle of Warwickshire at this time 
stood the fair and famous city of Coventry, the favourite occasional 
abode of kings, more especially of Henry the Sixth. I take the 
description of this city as it was given by one, only eight years before 
the time I am treating of, viz., 1634:—‘“ This city as it is sweetly 
situated on a hill, so it is beautify’d with many fayre streets and 
buildings, and for defence thereof it is compassed with a strong wall 
nigh three miles about, with a whole jury of gates, and many offensive 
and defensive towers, graye’d and much beautify’d with a fair, lofty, 
6-square crosse, though not altogether soe richly guilded as that 
onparrall’d one in Cheapside, yet with as curious and neat work, and 
carvings cut in stone, as that of lead. A fayre large Hall there is, 
over against their fayre Church, with a stately ascending entrance, 
the upper end adorned with rich hangings and all about with fayre 
pictures, one more especially of a noble Lady, whose memory they 
haye cause not to forget, for that she purchas’d and redeem’d their 
long infring’d liberties, and freedoms, and obtain’d remission of heavy 
tributes imposed upon them, by undertaking a hard and unseemly 
taske.” The walls of this famous defensive city, commenced in the 
latter half of the 14th century, were not finished till the 15th. The 
murage tax was a grievous charge on the inhabitants, and toll was 
taken, as in the present day at many cities and towns on the Continent, 
on all eatables and drinkables which entered the city. Thence arose _ 
the legend, borrowed from an earlier legend told of a different place, 
but I must forbear to treat of the old legends of Warwickshire lest, to 
use an aphorism found in the proverbs of Florio, “I get a flap with a 
fox tail.” Coventry was the medieval walled city, like those, though 
