In early 1945, a contributor to the Catholic Herald suggested that the city of Coventry could be named for a medieval Catholic religious house. Professor J. R. R. Tolkien, reading this, and having done his research, wrote in to correct the record and share his thoughts on Catholicism's place in the study of Anglo-Saxon etymology for the 23 February, 1945 issue.
SIR – With reference to the letter of "H.D." on the subject of Coventry, I am at a loss to know how the etymology of any place-name can be pursued "in keeping with Catholic tradition", except by seeking the truth without bias, whether one ends up in a convent or not. But, the consequences of St. Osburg's convent is in any case in no way concerned.
