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Godgifu (Godiva) was an Anglo Saxon noblewoman, the wife of Earl Leofric of Mercia. The couple were renowned for their generosity to the clegy and in …

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Godgifu (Godiva) was an Anglo Saxon noblewoman, the wife of Earl Leofric of Mercia. The couple were renowned for their generosity to the clegy and in 1043 founded and endowed a monastery at  Coventry.

She is perhaps best known for her ride, though there is no firm histrorical evidence for  it.  The earliest surviving source is Roger of Wendover's 'Chronica' written long after her death.  According to the stories, Leofric became so exasperated by Godiva's endless appeals to reduce Coventry's heavy taxes that he declared he would not lift them till she rode naked through the marketplace.  Godiva issued an order requiring the townsfolk to remain indoors and then proceeded through the town  with only her long hair to cover her modesty.   As a result Leofric freed the town from all tolls save those on horses.

Its intersting to note that records from nearly two centuries later, during the reign of Edward I, show that no tolls were paid in Coventry except on horses!

 

 

 

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