38–39 Bayley Lane

38–39 Bayley Lane is a former building, whose present-day site is accessible from the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry, England.[1] All that remains is the medieval undercroft, a fourteenth-century cellar that initially belonged to a wealthy merchant, who was a clothier.[2] The undercroft is built with sandstone with a stone-ribbed vault for added security and strength.[3] It is a Grade I listed building.[4]

38–39 Bayley Lane
The area of the undercroft is outlined on the ground above.
General information
Status	Destroyed
Address	Bayley Lane
Town or city	Coventry
Country	United Kingdom
Completed	14th century
Owner	Herbert Art Gallery and Museum
Listed Building – Grade I
Official name	MEDIEVAL BASEMENT BELOW NUMBERS 38 AND 39
Designated	5 February 1955
Reference no.	1116387

History

The area of Bayley Lane that the building was located in was occupied by wealthy merchants in the late medieval period.[3] Following the earlier levelling of Coventry Castle, the area would have been undeveloped. Bayley Lane likely emerged as a route through the former castle bailey or outer court.[3]

The status of the area grew after the establishment of St Mary's Guildhall, followed by the construction of Drapers Hall.

The property belonged to the Benedictine Priory and the earliest-known tenant was Robert Allesley, a girdler.[3]

Undercroft

Looking towards the window in the north wall of the undercroft.

The cellar of 38–39 Bayley Lane is much smaller than the similar undercroft beneath St Mary's Guildhall, further along Bayley Lane[1] which is used as a restaurant.

The undercroft consists of two square bays making a rectangular room (just over 21 by 11 feet (6.4 by 3.4 m)).[3] There are two separate entrances, one by which the cellar is entered from Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in the west and another, which is blocked after a few steps, in the east.[3] There are niches in the northern and southern walls which were used to store valuable goods.[2]

The local topography allowed the cellar to be lit on the northern side with a window.[3]

See also

• Grade I listed buildings in Coventry
• 21–22 High Street, Coventry

References

1. "Visitors given rare access to medieval undercroft in Coventry city centre". BBC Online. BBC. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
2. Rare visit to medieval undercroft in Coventry city centre. Coventry: BBC Online. 23 June 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
3. Demidowicz, George (2008). Medieval Undercroft. Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.
4. Historic England. "MEDIEVAL BASEMENT BELOW NUMBERS 38 AND 39 (1116387)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 31 January 2018.