Lady Godiva
Shocking scene as lady rides naked in city! So this is not fresh news,� the story of Lady Godiva's still captures the imagination. Although the story of her horse-ride may be legend, the woman and her influence were definitely real.�The Countess Godiva lived� the 11th Century and� charity and power is well documented. Lady Godiva was married� Leofric, the Earl of Mercia and Lord of Coventry, the city in central England.
The Earl Leofric made the citizens� Coventry pay enormous taxes to make the city� beautiful, but poor people couldn�t pay so much money and often asked the Earl and his wife� reduce the taxes. But Leofric didn�t want to� construction or lower the taxes. Lady Godiva felt sorry� poor people of Coventry. She often asked her husband to reduce the taxes, but his� always was �No�.
One day he said to Godiva: "If you mount your horse and ride naked, before� the people, through the market of this town from one end to the other, on your return I will reduce the taxes."Godiva replied, "But will you give me permission if I am willing to do it?" "I ," said Earl Leofric. Of course he �imagined she would complete the challenge.
The Countess loosed her hair, which covered the whole of her body like a veil. The people of Coventry loved Lady Godiva. Everyone stayed indoors at the� when Lady Godiva rode through the streets of Coventry. She rode through the marketplace� being seen, because all her body was covered with her long .Only� person looked � his name was Peeping Tom - but as a punishment he was struck blind.
Amazed by Godiva�s compassionate deed, Leofric fulfilled his promise and reduced the� immediately.
When you visit Coventry, don�t forget to find the statue of Lady Godiva on the market place and the small figure of Peeping Tom trying to see her through the window!
