GODI'VA, or GOD'GIFU ( ?-e.1080). Ac cording to legend, a Saxon lady of Coventry, in Warwickshire, who rode naked through the streets of the town out of devotion for her peo ple. It is impossible to say whether the story is wholly fictitious or partly true. In its devel oped form the legend runs as follows: About the year 1040, Leofric, Earl of Mercia and Lord of Coventry, imposed certain onerous services and heavy exactions upon the inhabitants of the lat ter, of which they loudly complained. His wife, the Lady Godiva, having the welfare of the town at heart, besought her husband to give them re lief, and was so earnest in her entreaties that at length, to escape from her importunities, the Earl said he would grant her the favor, but only on condition that she would ride naked through the town, supposing. from the modesty of Lady Godiva, that he had imposed an impossible con dition. He was surprised with her answer: "But will you give me leave to do so I" As he could not in justice refuse, she ordered that proclamation be made that on a certain day no one should be out of doors, or even look from their houses; and, clothed only in her long hair, she rode through the town. Her husband, in ad miration of her intrepid devotion, performed his promise. This circumstance was commemorated
by a stained-glass window, mentioned in 1690. in Saint Michael's Church, Coventry; and the leg end that an unfortunate tailor, the only man who looked out of a window, was struck blind, has also found commemoration in an ancient effigy of 'Peeping Torn of Coventry.' still to be seen in a niche of one of the buildings. By a 'charter of Henry III. (1218), a fair is held at Coventry, beginning on Friday of Trinity week, and lasting eight days. The fair was opened with a grand civic procession, a part of which was, in 1678, the representation of the ride of Lady Godiva. These processions were continued at intervals of from three to seven years until 1826. Some beautiful woman, who represented Lady Godiva, was the principal figure; but many other his torical and emblematic personages were intro duced. In 1848 the procession was revived with great splendor, and attracted 15,000 strangers. The ceremony has, however, fallen into disrepute, the last procession occurring in 1887. For a full discussion of the legend, consult Freeman, The Norman Conquest (Oxford, 1870-79).