Lady Godiva’s Nude Ride
Today in History: July 10, 1040
On July 10, 1040, to convince her husband, Leofric, the Earl of Mercia, to lower taxes, legend claims Lady Godiva rode naked through Coventry, covered only by her long hair.
Legend has it that the term for a voyeur, "Peeping Tom," appears in later versions, claiming a man named Thomas watched her ride naked, and either went blind or died.
The story of Lady Godiva's nude ride is first recorded in the Flores Historiarum.
The common version of the story has Lady Godiva taking pity on the people of Coventry, who were suffering under her husband's high taxes. Despite her numerous appeals to her husband to lower taxes, the rumor is he agreed to lower taxes if she rode through the streets of Coventry naked.
She issued a proclamation all persons should remain indoors, with their windows closed and covered, as she rode through town, covered only by her long hair.