Coventry

Coventry (pop. 312,200), cathedral city in England, southeast of Birmingham. Coventry was formerly a small market town but is now an important center for the British automobile industry. It was founded in 1043, and by the 14th century was the fourth largest commercial town in England, famous for its wool and hides. In late 1940, Coventry was the first British town to suffer “saturation” bombing. After 1945 the city was rebuilt in modern style. New buildings include the Belgrade Theater (1958) and the very modern Cathedral of St. Michael (1962).

See also: England.