Coventry Castle

It was built in the early 12th century by Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester. Its first known use was during The Anarchy when Robert Marmion, 1st Baron Marmion of Tamworth, a supporter of King Stephen, expelled the monks from the adjacent priory of Saint Mary and converted it into a fortress from which he waged a battle against the Earl. Marmion perished in the battle. In 1147, those loyal to the king retreated to its defences during a siege by Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester whilst he tried to recapture the castle after he had handed the castle over to King Stephen. This was because whilst he was captured by the King in 1146 he was forced to give his castles over, although he only…

Today, Caesar's Tower – which is thought to be all that remains of the castle – still exists as part of St Mary's Guildhall. It was rebuilt after bombing during the Second World War. On the bottom floor of the tower is "the Treasury", and above it is what is known (though, it is thought to be incorrectly) as the "Mary Queen of Scots room". The Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre was constructed over part of the castle.