Famous People

She's Coventry's most famous daughter and her ride through the streets of the city has passed into legend but was she naked? The evidence is inconclusive.

Godiva was certainly real, she was the first woman mentioned in the Domesday Book, and her charity to the folk of Mercia was well known.

But why did she, a noblewoman and wife to the powerful Earl Leofric, ride through the streets of Coventry without clothing? The answer was to bring art and luxury to the people.

Godiva and Leofric, a rich and very religious couple, came to rule Mercia in the 11th century. Leofric was a huge supporter of public works and decided to modernise Coventry almost as soon as he got here but to start the work he needed money.

Lady Godiva in a painting by John Collier

The only way of raising the cash he needed was via taxes and as the work continued, he taxed more and more items to pay for it and at one point, it's said, he even taxed manure!

In the meantime, the cultured Lady Godiva was trying to promote art amongst the masses. They could scarcely afford a paintbrush, let alone a masterpiece, as they were taxed to the hilt and that got Godiva thinking.

She decided to appeal to the better side of Leofric and asked him to reduce the taxes the folk of Mercia were forced to pay.

Impressed by her request, Leofric acquiesced but placed a condition on his decision - he would rescind some taxes if she rode through the streets naked.

In the original story, Godiva rode through the streets as the townsfolk continued with their daily business - no one was ordered to stay indoors. Godiva rode, it was documented, with her hair braided behind her head and with two servants on horseback flanking her.

However, later documents say Godiva's exposed figure was covered with her long blonde hair - something that was never mentioned in the original tales.

Pru Poretta as Lady Godiva

The legend of Peeping Tom was also added later. No mention of the townspeople being asked to stay behind closed doors and not being allowed to watch was made until a couple of centuries after the original stories.

In those updates tales, Peeping Tom was, of course, the man who couldn't resist a peek at the naked Lady and was blinded for sneaking a look.

There is speculation, too, that the description of Godiva as being naked actually meant she rode without adornment - no jewellery or make-up etc - which would have been unheard of.

Whatever the truth, the legacy of Lady Godiva lives on in Coventry. Every year the city celebrates her life with the Godiva Procession, a traditional march that started in 1678 and was revived a few years ago.

The Godiva Festival, which takes place every July, is a three-day celebration of Godiva that includes live music, a car run, family entertainment and loads more. Keep an eye here on the website for information as it happens.