18 
On the north and east the ancient arrangement still exists, with 
alterations effected in the 16th or early part of the 17th century, the 
ancient refectory and dormitory forming the south and west sides, were 
probably demolished in the last century, when the principle portion of 
the present mansion was erected on their sites. Although Charles is 
the first monarch who is recorded to have been here, it is more than 
probable that some earlier monarchs paid a transient visit here—John, 
Henry the Third, his son Edward, and Edward the Second, whilst 
with the Court staying at the Castle or Priory of Kenilworth, only two 
miles distant from hence. That during the night the King was here 
the guards were watchful, and patrols sent out to different parts, both 
to prevent surprise and to obtain intelligence, more especially from the 
quarter where the Parliamentary troops were expected to march would 
appear evident from what follows. In “Certain special and remarkable 
passages, from both Houses of Parliament, since Monday, the 22nd 
of August, till Friday, the 26th, 1642,” the following statement occurs: 
— ‘The Houses (of Parliament) also received letters informing them 
of the true state of things at Coventry. That his Majesty continued 
his siege and battered against the town from Saturday till Monday last. 
That the cavaliers, with their pieces of ordnance, having battered 
down one of the gates, the townsmen, to prevent their entrance, stopped 
up the passage with harrows, carts, and pieces of timber, and with 
great courage forced the cavyaliers (notwithstanding their ordnance) 
upon every attempt towards the gate soon to retreat, and that with 
some loss. That the Lord Brooke, the Lord Grey, son to the Earl of 
Stamford, with their troops of horse, Master Hollis and Master 
Hampden’s regiments of foot, and the other forces formerly related of, 
according as was appointed, came to Southam, within ten miles of 
Coventry, on Monday night last, and intended to billet themselves 
there; but that upon intelligence of a false alarm that the enemy were 
within a mile or two, they marched into the fields, where they lay all 
night without meat or drink, and the next morning espied the enemy, 
who had removed their siege before Coventry upon information of 
their coming, and placed themselves in a battle some two miles from 
Southam for a pitched battle; whereupon the Lord Brooke and 
company drew up their forces to the top of the hill, put their men in 
® posture, placed their ordnance, and let fly at them, there being a 
very hot skirmish on both sides for about an hour long, his Majesty 
