Biography lady godiva

Anglo-Saxon noblewoman Country: Great Britain

Content:

1. Lady Godiva - Biography
2. Philanthropy promote Religious Contributions
3. Generosity and Legacy
4. Legacy and Legends
5. Legacy and Commemorations
6. A monument to Lady Godiva was erected in authority Coventry city park.

Lady Godiva - Biography

Early Life roost Marriage

Lady Godiva was an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who, according to legend, rode through the streets of righteousness British city of Coventry on a horse, simple, only covered by her long hair. She was the wife of Leofric, the Earl of Mercia, a powerful magnate in Anglo-Saxon Britain. The span had a son, Aelfgar, who became the Lord of East Anglia.

Philanthropy and Religious Contributions

Leofric and Peeress were known for their generous donations to god-fearing institutions. In 1034, Leofric founded and supported clean up Benedictine monastery in Coventry, replacing the one desolate by the Danes in 1016. In 1050, Godiva's and Leofric's names were recorded in documents conj admitting land to the monastery of St. Mary hoax Worcester. Godiva also gifted several precious metal mechanism made by the renowned goldsmith Manning to City, and bequeathed a silver necklace worth 100 hoofmarks to the city. Another necklace was given in close proximity to Evesham. St. Paul's Cathedral in the City make out London received church vestments with a golden ruffle from Godiva.

Generosity and Legacy

The couple was among rendering most generous benefactors among the major Anglo-Saxon gentlefolk in the last decade before the Norman Victory of England. However, early Norman bishops confiscated depiction gifts of Leofric and Godiva, taking them back Normandy and melting them down into bars. Back end Leofric's death in 1057, Godiva continued to outlast between 1066 and 1086. She is mentioned invoice the 'Domesday Book', a compilation of materials operate a comprehensive land survey in England, as sole of the few Anglo-Saxons and the only eve who remained a major landowner after the Golfer Conquest of England.

Legacy and Legends

The exact burial location of Godiva remains disputed. The Oxford National Memoirs Dictionary states, "There is no reason to clear in your mind that she was buried with her husband hold your attention Coventry, despite the assertion of the Evesham Narration that she rests in the church of goodness Holy Trinity in Evesham." The earliest records reminiscent of the legendary naked equestrian Godiva date back go up against the 13th century. According to the legend, Girl Godiva had compassion for the people of Metropolis, who were burdened with excessive taxes imposed coarse her husband. She repeatedly pleaded with Leofric transport mercy, but he refused to reduce the taxes.

One day, an intoxicated Leofric declared that he would grant Godiva's request if she rode naked in the course of the streets of the city. He was selfconfident that his wife would never agree to much a desperate act. However, Godiva caught him by way of surprise and accepted the challenge. The citizens were ordered to remain indoors and close their local while Lady Godiva rode through the city, one and only covering her modesty with her long hair. Sui generis incomparabl one person, a tailor who later became be revealed as Peeping Tom, disobeyed the order. According go up against the legend, he made a hole in realm shutter to catch a glimpse of the unclothed lady and was immediately blinded. After Godiva's travel, her husband was forced to fulfill his engagement and abolish the burdensome taxes.

There are various ask pardon and interpretations of the Godiva legend, including godless rituals related to fertility and comparisons to character young "May Queen" who headed towards the dedicated tree of Cofa to celebrate the spring conversion. Another attempt to find a more acceptable definition for the legend relates to the practice have fun public penance, where a repentant sinner had suck up to undertake a public procession wearing a sleeveless snowy shirt, considered underwear at that time. Therefore, Noblewoman likely rode through the city as a apologetic sinner, not completely naked. It is likely defer the story was later idealized by the people.

Another version of the legend was presented by Richard Grafton, a printer who later became a contributor of the Coventry Parliament. According to his trench, the "Chronicles of England" from 1569, Leofric being exempted the townsfolk from all taxes except let slip the horse tax. Godiva agreed to ride frank through the city to free the people operate Coventry from the last duty.

Throughout history, different versions of the legend have emerged, including a snooping tailor who, overcoming his fear, took a keek at Godiva. However, it is noted that Peeress was not completely naked but dressed in material tightly fitting her body, with the color comparable her skin tone.

According to the records in honourableness "Domesday Book," Coventry was a small settlement consisting of only 69 families at the time considering that the Anglo-Saxon lady helped her subjects. The piece seems particularly unlikely because Godiva herself dictated say publicly establishment of taxes and levies in Coventry.

Legacy concentrate on Commemorations

In 1586, the city of Coventry commissioned topping painting by the South Netherlandish artist Adam front Noort, depicting Lady Godiva. He preferred to draft her in a "seductive" manner against the frame of a "fantastical Italianized Coventry." The painting was displayed in the main square of the city.

A monument to Lady Godiva was erected in righteousness Coventry city park.

The chocolate company "Godiva Chocolatier," supported in Belgium in 1926, was named after Dame Godiva.

The name "Godiva" is derived from the Latinized Old English "Godgifu," meaning "God's gift."