Lady Godiva

*The 1985 EB has this to say<blockquote>fl c 1040-1080, Anglo-Saxon gentlewoman famous for her legendary ride while nude through Coventry, Warwickshire</blockquote><blockquote>Godiva was the wife of Leofric, earl of Mercia, with whom she founded and endowed a monastery at Coventry.  The chronicler Florence of Worcester (d. 1118) mentions Leofric and Godiva with respect, but does not refer to the ride.  There is no evidence connecting the rider with the historical Godiva.</blockquote><blockquote>The earliest extant source for the story is the 'Chronica' (under the year 1057) of Roger of Wendover (d. 1236).  He recounts that her husband, in exasperation over her ceaseless imploring that he reduce Coventry's heavy taxes, declared that he would so if she rode naked through the croweded marketplace.  She did so, her hair covering all of her body except her legs.  Ranulf Higdon (d.1364) in his 'Polychronicon', says that as a result Leofric freed the town from all tolls save those on horses.  An inquiry made in the reign of Edward I shows that at the time no tolls were paid in Coventry except on horses.  A later chronicle assets that Godiva required the townsmen to remain indoors at the time fixed for her ride.  Peeping Tom, a citizen who looked out his window, apparently became a part of the legend in the 17th century.  In most accounts he was struck blind or dead.</blockquote>

*The 1985 EB has this to say<blockquote>fl c 1040-1080, Anglo-Saxon gentlewoman famous for her legendary ride while nude through Coventry, Warwickshire</blockquote><blockquote>Godiva was the wife of Leofric, earl of Mercia, with whom she founded and endowed a monastery at Coventry.  The chronicler Florence of Worcester (d. 1118) mentions Leofric and Godiva with respect, but does not refer to the ride.  There is no evidence connecting the rider with the historical Godiva.</blockquote><blockquote>The earliest extant source for the story is the 'Chronica' (under the year 1057) of Roger of Wendover (d. 1236).  He recounts that her husband, in exasperation over her ceaseless imploring that he reduce Coventry's heavy taxes, declared that he would so if she rode naked through the croweded marketplace.  She did so, her hair covering all of her body except her legs.  Ranulf Higdon (d.1364) in his 'Polychronicon', says that as a result Leofric freed the town from all tolls save those on horses.  An inquiry made in the reign of Edward I shows that at the time no tolls were paid in Coventry except on horses.  A later chronicle assets that Godiva required the townsmen to remain indoors at the time fixed for her ride.  Peeping Tom, a citizen who looked out his window, apparently became a part of the legend in the 17th century.  In most accounts he was struck blind or dead.</blockquote>