Lady Godiva

Lady Godiva was an 11th Century Saxon noblewoman. She was a wealthy woman and generous religious benefactor, but her fame lies in the legend that she rode naked through the streets of the city of Coventry to protest her husband’s onerous taxes. Despite there no historical evidence of such an event actually having taken place, it remains a popular and enduring tale. The term ‘Peeping Tom’, used to refer to a voyeur (from a later addition to the story in which a man named Tom peeped out at the naked woman as she rode past his home) comes to us from this tale and remains in current use. ('Godiva' is a Latinized spelling. The original Anglo-Saxon form of her name was 'Godgifu'.)

The Historical Lady Godiva

'Godiva' (God’s Gift) would have been a popular name in the 11th Century. The Lady Godiva on whom the legend is presumed to be based was Countess Godiva, wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia. She appears in the Domesday Book, 1086.

Synopsis of the legend

Godiva became increasingly distressed at the onerous taxes levied by her husband Leofric on his tenants. She protested to him time and again, to no avail. Finally, in exasperation, Leofric said he would reduce the taxes if she would ride naked through the streets of Coventry. Godiva did so, and Leofric was true to his word.