Today is an anniversary, on 10th September 1067 Lady Godgifu died. I’m sure you’ve heard of her, but you may not know it. She is the founder of the English city of Coventry, and would have been its overlord in her own right, and she was the wife of the powerful Earl Leofric. Her two sons became earls in their own right, and her daughter married the last Saxon King of England, Harold. Earl Leofric was known for his harsh ways and was often accused of not fearing God. Godgifu on the other hand was a very devout believer, and a generous lady. As overlord of Coventry, it was her responsibility to collect taxes from it - except for one tax. That tax – known as the heregeld – was the tax levied by the Danish King of England, Cnut, for the support of his personal body guard. Her husband was one of four powerful earls who collected this tax for the king. Since Coventry was just a fledgling town, estimates of its population range from fifty families to 350 souls – which may be pretty close to the same number, the heregeld was especially hard on the townsfolk. So Godgifu asked her husband to stop collecting it. Once the Danish line had died out, and the Saxon Kings had returned, it was certainly possible for Leofric to do so. But he refused.
Robert of Wendover – the chronicler who gives us the oldest version of the tale, though it is 100 years after the life of Lady Godgifu – which is probably why her name became better known in a more modern version! – tells us an interesting tale about what a woman will fight for, and how.
“The saintly countess… desiring to free the town of Coventry from its burdensome and shameful servitude, often besought the earl, her husband, with earnest prayers, to free the town, by the guidance of the Holy Trinity and of the Holy Mother of God, from this slavery. The earl upbraided her for vainly seeking something so injurious to him, and repeatedly forbade her to approach him again on the subject. Nevertheless in her feminine pertinacity she exasperated her husband with her unceasing request and extorted from him the following reply: ‘Mount your horse naked’ he said ‘and ride through the market place of the town from one side right to the other while the people are congregated, and when you return you shall claim what you desire.’ And the countess answered: ‘And if I wish to do this, will you give me your permission?’ and the earl said, ‘I will.’ Then the Countess Godgifu, beloved of God, on a certain day, as it is said, mounting her horse naked, loosed her hair from its bands and her whole body was veiled except her fair white legs. Her journey done, unseen by a soul, she returned to her husband, who counted it a miracle. Then Earl Leofric granted a charter freeing the city of Coventry from its servitude with his seal.” (translation by Miss Lancaster, and quoted by H. R. Ellis Davidson)
Yes, Lady Godgifu is more commonly known as Lady Godiva.
It is also interesting that this episode is credited with a great change of heart by Earl Leofric, who became a God fearing man, and gave back lands to the church that he and his family had taken.
One other note: it is true that the story of Lady Godiva includes the story of Peeping Tom, but Tom is not part of the story until 1659.
Lady Godiva was determined to fight for what she believed in, even willing to humiliate herself to attain what she felt was right. (and only by the miracle that let her hair cover her was she saved from the public humiliation of nudity) So today – be sure and salute the Naked Warrior Woman of Coventry!