Lady Godiva

Lady Godiva lived around 1040 to 1080 A.D. Her husband. Leofric, was the town's lord and it was his responsibility to care for the city and its citizens. He was a good man, but not too bright. He was fond of taxing anything and everything - including manure. Every few days, he would find something else to tax. His bleeding-heart wife was worried about the townsfolk who were quickly becoming too poor even to afford food. She nagged her husband constantly about lowering taxes, but he refused. Finally, exasperated and thinking she would never agree, he told her he would lower the taxes on the townsfolk if she rode naked through the town. To his surprise, she agreed. He was so impressed with her devotion to help others, that he swore to abolish ALL taxes (except those on horses for city funds) if she were brave enough to go through with it. The date of her ride was announced throughout the town. On that day, she arranged her hair in two large braided buns on either side of her head. She set out on her horse, accompanied by two of her - dressed - handmaids. The townspeople, overcome with gratefulness for her devotion, covered their faces and closed their shutters as she passed so that she might not be seen.

This is how the story usually goes. In reality, the townspeople DID watch as she passed through the town, but all were silent and reverent as she did so, bowing in her path for her kindness and generosity. Her husband kept his word and removed the taxes and never again imposed another tax on the townspeople.

horse base is by me