Lady Godiva
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**NGSQ is the National Genealogical Society Quarterly fully-cited on this page far below | **NGSQ is the National Genealogical Society Quarterly fully-cited on this page far below | ||
| − | *[http://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/britannia/anglo-saxon/flowers/godiva.html "Lady Godiva | + | *James Grout, [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/britannia/anglo-saxon/flowers/godiva.html "Lady Godiva," part of the Encyclopaedia Romana]. Which, among other things claims the Chronicle ascribed to Florence was actually writen by John of Worcester from 1124 to 1140 instead of Florence who died 1118. This attribution would allow relaxing her dates, since she could be as much as a generation younger than previously thought.<blockquote>"Among his other good deeds in this life, he and his wife, the noble countess Godgiva, who was a devout worshipper of God, and one who loved the ever-virgin St. Mary, entirely constructed at their own cost the monastery there [Coventry], well endowed it with land, and enriched it with ornaments to such an extent, that no monastery could be then found in England possessing so much gold, silver, jewels, and precious stones." The Chronicle of John of Worcester: The Annals from 450 to 1066 (1995) edited by R. R. Darlington and P. McGurk, translated by Jennifer Bray and P. McGurk (Oxford Medieval Texts)</blockquote> |
*The 1985 EB has this to say<blockquote>fl c 1040-1080, Anglo-Saxon gentlewoman famous for her legendary ride while nude through Coventry, Warwickshire</blockquote><blockquote>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.</blockquote><blockquote>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 that he would so if she rode naked through the croweded marketplace. She did so, her hair covering all of her body except her legs. Ranulf Higdon (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 the time no tolls were paid in Coventry except on horses. A later chronicle assets 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.</blockquote> | *The 1985 EB has this to say<blockquote>fl c 1040-1080, Anglo-Saxon gentlewoman famous for her legendary ride while nude through Coventry, Warwickshire</blockquote><blockquote>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.</blockquote><blockquote>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 that he would so if she rode naked through the croweded marketplace. She did so, her hair covering all of her body except her legs. Ranulf Higdon (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 the time no tolls were paid in Coventry except on horses. A later chronicle assets 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.</blockquote> | ||
