black plaque · Coventry
The Charterhouse The Carthusian
This plaque commemorates The Charterhouse, a Carthusian priory known as St. Anne, which was founded in 1381 in Coventry. King Richard II himself laid its foundation stone in 1385, marking its significant beginnings. The Carthusian order, originating from Chartreuse in France, dedicated themselves to a particularly silent and solitary way of life. Unlike many monastic orders, Carthusian monks lived in individual, small, two-storey detached cells, fostering an environment of deep contemplation and minimal interaction. This distinctive approach to monastic life sets the Charterhouse apart as a site of historical and religious importance within Coventry.
The Charterhouse was part of a broader network of Carthusian monasteries, whose origins trace back to Chartreuse in France, from which they derived their name. This order was renowned for its strict adherence to silence and solitude, with monks typically engaging in conversation only on specific occasions. This monastic tradition, rooted in intense personal devotion, flourished across Europe. The priory's existence in Coventry came to an end after 1539, a period when Henry VIII initiated the Dissolution of the Monasteries, leading to the closure of religious houses like the Charterhouse and the eviction of their inhabitants across England, fundamentally altering the religious and land ownership landscape of the nation.
The plaque is located on London Road in Coventry, marking the site of the historic Charterhouse. Visitors will find that the stone building, once comprising the monks' refectory and the prior's lodgings, still stands. An added timber-framed section from the sixteenth century, after its conversion to a private house, is also visible. Inside, a notable surviving treasure is the lower portion of a wall painting, likely completed around 1471, depicting the crucifixion of Christ, which once adorned the refectory. The former site of the church, revealed by excavations from 1984-1987 but since reburied, is not visible to the public.
Inscription
“The Charterhouse The Carthusian priory of St. Anne was founded in 1381and King Richard II laid the foundation stone in 1385. The Carthusians originated in Chartreuse in France, hence the name Charterhouse given to their monasteries. Unlike most monks, Carthusians were a “silent” order, only speaking to one another on special occasions. They lived alone in their cells, which were small two storey, detached houses. Twelve cells were located on the other side of the building around a courtyard or cloister in what is now the garden. The cells were demolished in the period after 1539 when Henry VIII closed the priory and evicted the monks (the Dissolution) The stone building contained the monks’ refectory (left) and the priors’ lodgings (right). The timber-framed end was probably added in the sixteenth century after the building became a. private house. One of the treasures is the lower part of a wall painting that dominated the refectory. It was probably finished about 1471 soon after the building was constructed and depicts the crucifixion of Christ. The church was situated in the open ground immediately to the left, but was also demolished in the Dissolution. Its plan was revealed in the excavations (1984-7) but these were reburied and cannot be seen. Coventry City Council 2008”
Background
The Charterhouse The Carthusian priory of St. Anne was founded in 1381and King Richard II laid the foundation stone in 1385. The Carthusians originated in Chartreuse in France, hence the name Charterhouse given to their monasteries. Unlike most monks, Carthusians were a “silent” order, only speaking to one another on special occasions. They lived alone in their cells, which were small two storey, detached houses. Twelve cells were located on the other side of the building around a courtyard or cloister in what is now the garden. The cells were demolished in the period after 1539 when Henry VIII closed the priory and evicted the monks (the Dissolution) The stone building contained the monks’ refectory (left) and the priors’ lodgings (right). The timber-framed end was probably added in the sixteenth century after the building became a. private house. One of the treasures is the lower part of a wall painting that dominated the refectory. It was probably finished about 1471 soon after the building was constructed and depicts the crucifixion of Christ. The church was situated in the open ground immediately to the left, but was also demolished in the Dissolution. Its plan was revealed in the excavations (1984-7) but these were reburied and cannot be seen. Coventry City Council 2008
Source: Open Plaques. Geographic data via OpenStreetMap.