Coventry's Charterhouse to be turned into a museum

[rebbonk]

I think I might be inclined to go with HE

[Blitzkid]

No one on this panel mention that King Charles the first lived in the Charter house in the 16th century, the wainscot paintings were of Charlie boy in his pursuits of Country life and his other pursuits. The whole house was designed 1381 long before the first stone was laid and money was awarded for such long before King Richard laid the first stone 1385.

[dutchman]

Volunteers sought for historic Coventry Charterhouse



A former monastery that has been saved from ruin needs volunteers to enable public access at open days and special events, an historical trust says.

The Grade I listed Coventry Charterhouse, founded in 1381, has undergone a £10m refurbishment.

Unique medieval and Tudor wall paintings have been part of the extensive restoration along with gardens at the former Carthusian monastery.

An open day is being held on Saturday.

The building was added to Historic England's At Risk Register in 2013 as the organisation said the site was not being fully used, the roof was in poor condition and the "exceptional" wall paintings were under threat.

Repairs began in October 2019 under the guidance of owners Historic Coventry Trust, with more than £4m of funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

All works on the roof and external buildings were finished last year ahead of it becoming a visitor centre.

Elizabeth Bayton, a volunteer with Historic Coventry Trust, said: "I love Charterhouse, and I want everyone else to love it too.

"Being involved in this unique building gives you a sense of pride in our city and its amazing history. It's a very welcoming place to join in."

The Charterhouse is the only Carthusian monastery in the country with intact interiors.

The attraction will include interactive displays charting the site's history.

The restoration was carried out in partnership with the city council and supported by major grants from Historic England and several other trusts and foundations.

[Blitzkid]

Dutchman,
If you look closely at the paintings on the wainscot you will see that it is Charles at 5 feet 4 inches tall alongside his girlfriend, and they are his hunting scenes.

[dutchman]

Interesting, thanks!

[Blitzkid]

Dutchman,
King Charles I stayed at the Charter house, he was known to like beautiful things. Charles had many fine qualities, Inigo Jones a famous architect, playwrights and painters. He brought over Rubens to decorate the ceiling of the banqueting hall in Whitehall palace in memory of his father. Van Dyke did portraits of his family, W. Dobson another portrait painter. A painter was brought to paint the frescoes in the charter house. But Charles had serious defects; he was lazy, lacked humour, he thought any means to justify war, he made promises that he never meant to keep and so he made enemies. In January 1649 he was brought to trial, he was condemned to death.
A man named Brandon sliced off his head with a giant axe and his body was buried in Windsor Castle.

[Blitzkid]

You can see his feet are on a bank five feet four inches tall, he his now on a level with his wife.

[dutchman]

Former 14th century Coventry monastery to re-open to the public this month



A former 14th century monastery will re-open to visitors this month with a half-term festival and a 60-seat café. Plans have unveiled for Coventry Charterhouse by the National Trust, which has taken over the day-to-day running of the site.

The Grade I listed former Carthusian monastery – one of only nine ever built in England – is the National Trust’s first property in Coventry, where it will work closely with organisations in the city as part of its ambition to bring history and heritage to more people in urban areas. It will open to the public from 21 May.

Visitors will also be invited to join the Festival of Blossom during May half-term at the Charterhouse, to celebrate the beauty of nature’s confetti and have a go at family-friendly blossom crafts. Visitors can also enjoy immersive guided tours of Charterhouse interiors.

Earlier this year, Historic Coventry Trust, which owns the Charterhouse and oversaw its multi-million-pound renovation, entered into a partnership with the National Trust where the day-to-day operations of the site, and visitors’ experience will now be managed by the National Trust.

The 14th-century former monastery is home to remarkable 15th and 16th century wall paintings, widely regarded as some of the finest surviving examples of medieval and Renaissance art in England. Visitors can explore a beautifully landscaped walled garden as well as expansive green space that includes a wildlife pond, community orchard, children’s play area, and grassland park.

A 60-seat café will also open at the historic house from Wednesdays to Sundays, 8am until 5pm.

In preparation for reopening Coventry Charterhouse, the National Trust has appointed team of experienced heritage professionals to manage the site. The charity also put the call-out for volunteers and more than 160 people have come forward to support Coventry Charterhouse and help to share its fascinating history as the former 14th century monastery enters a new chapter with the National Trust.

Gurminder Kenth, General Manager at National Trust, said: "As one of Coventry’s oldest surviving medieval buildings, the Charterhouse is an extraordinary place with a rich story to tell, and we’re excited to open our doors for visitors to explore its layered history.

“Together with the highly experienced individuals we’ve welcomed into the fold as we prepare to reopen, we’ve been overwhelmed by the huge level of support and enthusiasm from locals coming forward to volunteer as we enter this next chapter together with the Charterhouse. Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at the National Trust and as we’ve already seen from our constantly growing team at the Charterhouse, the passion to support this new chapter for the Charterhouse has been remarkable.

“Working closely with Historic Coventry Trust and the local community, we hope to make this already special place somewhere people from all walks of life can explore, learn, and feel a real sense of community and history.”

Jennie Rutte, Manager at Historic Coventry Trust said: "This marks an important step forward for the Charterhouse and for Coventry’s heritage.

“By working in partnership, National Trust and Historic Coventry Trust are creating a sustainable future for one of the city’s most treasured historic buildings – not just as a visitor attraction, but as a welcoming space for the whole community.”

Coventry Charterhouse will be operated in partnership between Historic Coventry Trust, which owns the property and led its £11.9 million restoration with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the National Trust, which will help bring the site to wider audiences locally, nationally and internationally.

Liz Bates, Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “Funds raised by National Lottery players helped make the restoration of the Charterhouse possible. With this new partnership between Historic Coventry Trust and the National Trust, many more people will have the opportunity to visit and explore its stories and remarkable interiors.”