Godiva, Lady

An English noblewoman of the eleventh century. According to legend, Lady Godiva once rode naked on horseback through the streets of Coventry, England, covered only by her long hair. Her husband, the story goes, had imposed taxes on the people of Coventry, and he agreed to lift the taxes only if Godiva took her famous ride. (See peeping Tom.)

An English noblewoman of the eleventh century. She supposedly rode naked through her town of Coventry to save the people from an oppressive tax. (See under “Mythology and Folklore.”)