Lady Godiva is one of the most celebrated women from Dark Ages Britain, known for her religious devotion and generous gifts to churches and abbeys. She is also famous for her legendary naked horse ride to free the people of Coventry from heavy taxes.
Lady Godiva and her husband were known for their generous contributions to churches and religious houses in various locations such as Leominster, Worcester, Evesham, Burton-on-Trent, Hereford, Stowe, and Chester. They even paid for a church in Coventry, which became a major pilgrimage site in the early Middle Ages.
The statue of Lady Godiva in Coventry's central square, Broadgate, is a striking sculpture that was unveiled in 1949. It is one of the few statues of horses outside London to be listed as Grade II. The statue pays tribute to the legendary figure of Lady Godiva and her famous naked horse ride.
Lady Godiva's famous naked horse ride was said to be a bargain with her husband to free the people of Coventry from heavy taxes. The story first appeared in the 12th century, about 150 years after her death in 1067. The tale also includes the addition of Peeping Tom, a character who first appeared in the 17th century.
While the exact details of Lady Godiva's birth are unknown, she is said to have married Leofric, Earl of Mercia, around 1035. She became known as Godiva, Countess of Mercia, and was a wealthy woman in her own right, owning land in Coventry, Warwickshire, Ansty, and Madeley.
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