One of the great features of Coventry life in the Middle Ages was undoubtedly the wealth and influence of the numerous bodies called Guilds, which were of both a religious and secular character, and to the support of these must be attributed much of the fame that distinguished Coventry for its “mysteries” or sacred plays. These dramatic performances, which partook of much of the character of that most interesting and popular survival of the present day “Everyman,” took place on movable platforms which were drawn through the principal streets and open places. The subjects of these plays were generally Scriptural or semi–Scriptural in character, and the different festivals, more especially that of Corpus Christi, were popular days for the representations. In addition to these there was at Coventry the play on Hock Tuesday, which was founded upon incidents of the Massacre of the Danes, and also pageants which were performed on the occasion of Royal visits, and at other special times.
On the occasion of Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Coventry in 1565, during one of her progresses she was received by the sheriffs in scarlet cloaks and a score of young men on horseback, clad in a livery of fine purple. The Queen was met at the limits of the liberties of the city in the direction of Wolvey, and each of the young men presented to the Queen a white rod, which she receiving delivered to them again, and they then rode before her until they came near the city, when the Mayor and Aldermen in their scarlet cloaks came out to receive her. As was the custom in these times a presentation of money was made; the Recorder, we learn, presenting “a purse, supposed to be worth twenty marks, and in it £100 in angels,” which the Queen accepting was pleased to say to her lords: “It is a good gift, a hundred pounds in gold; I have but few such gifts.”
To which the Mayor answering boldly, replied: “If it please your Grace, there is a good deal more in it.”
“What is that?” said she.
“The hearts,” he replied, “of all your loving subjects.”
“We thank you, Mr. Mayor,” said the Queen.
This at any rate is a much more courtier–like account of the presentation than that recorded by another writer, by whom the Mayor is said to have made the following rhyming address to the Queen, which, if the idea is based on fact at all, is probably a travesty fabricated at a later date:—
“We men of Coventree
Are very glad to see
Your gracious Majesty,
Good Lord, how fair ye bee!”