Coventry, England
If you look around Coventry, you’ll see her image everywhere. She appears on the city flag. There’s a statue of her in the central Square. Images of her are used for the city council logo and in advertising, even by a Belgian chocolate company. Her story is well known worldwide, and today Lady Godiva is arguably the most famous historical figure from Coventry.
Lady Godiva was the wife of Leofric, the Earl of Mercia. During her lifetime, Godgifu or Godiva was a patron of several churches and monasteries. We also know that Godiva had nine children and died sometime between the Norman Conquest of 1066 and the completion of the Doomsday Book in 1086. Overall, it is impressive that there are so many existing records from the 11th century.
Lady Godiva, however, is best remembered by the legend of her protest ride through the streets of Coventry. In the legend, Godiva asked for tax relief from her husband for the residents, but relief would only be granted by her husband if she rode naked through the streets. On her horse, with only her long hair to cover her, Lady Godiva rode through the streets, with only one guy named Tom who looked at or peeped at her, hence the lasting nickname “Peeping Tom.”
It’s incredible how legends can take hold of a town, and how an area can graft onto someone who shows a little bit of flair or has some fame. It also does not hurt the legend that Godiva has always been portrayed as an attractive lady who used only her long hair for any modesty during the horse ride through town. One thing my travels have confirmed is that people around the world are the same, and if someone is willing to show a little skin or do something a little taboo, they are long remembered. As for Lady Godiva, we know that she was a real person and that she was a wife, mother, and major supporter of the church in the 11th century. To be remembered almost a thousand years later is truly an accomplishment.