Lady Godiva

Godiva (Old English: Godgifu, "god gift"), often referred to as Lady Godiva, was an 11th-century Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who, according to a legend dating back at least to the 13th century, rode naked through the streets of Coventry in order to gain a remission of the oppressive taxation imposed by her husband on his tenants. The name "Peeping Tom" for a voyeur originates from later versions of this legend in which a man named Tom had watched her ride and was struck blind or dead.

Read more about Lady Godiva:  Historical Figure, Legend, Images in Art and Society

Famous quotes containing the word lady:

    The English, the plain English, of the politest address of a gentleman to a lady is, “I am now, dear Madam, your humble servant: Pray be so good as to let me be your Lord and Master.”
    Samuel Richardson (1689–1761)