Lady Godgifu

  General Notes:

Born: Cir 1010
Marriage: Leofric of Mercia circa 1030
Died: Bef 1085
Another name for Godgifu was Lady Godiva.
General Notes:
Old English Godgifu. Flourished ca 1040 - 80. Anglo-Saxon gentlewoman famous for her legendary ride while nude through Coventry, Warwickshire.Godiva was the wife of Leofric, earl of Mercia, with whom she founded and endowed a monastery at Coventry. The chronicler Florence of Worcester (d. 1118) mentions Leofric and Godiva with respect, but does not refer to the ride. There is no evidence connecting the rider with the historical Godiva.The earliest extant source for the story is the Chronica (under the year 1057) of Roger of Wendover (d. 1236). He recounts that her husband, in exasperation over her ceaseless imploring that he reduce Coventry's heavy taxes, declared he would do so if she rode naked through the crowded marketplace. She did so, her hair covering all of her body except her legs. Ranulf Higden (d. 1364), in his Polychronicon, says that as a result Leofric freed the town from all tolls save those on horses. An inquiry made in the reign of Edward I shows that at that time no tolls were paid in Coventry except on horses. A later chronicle asserts that Godiva required the townsmen to remain indoors at the time fixed for her ride. Peeping Tom, a citizen who looked out his window, apparently became a part of the legend in the 17th century. In most accounts he was struck blind or dead.The Godiva procession, from 1678 part of Coventry Fair, is held every seven or eight years.
Godgifu married Leofric of Mercia circa 1030. (Leofric of Mercia died on 31 Aug 1057 in Bromley, Staffordshire, England.)

Lady married Leofric of Mercia about 1030. (Leofric of Mercia died on 31 Aug 1057 in Bromley, Staffordshire, England.)