According to legend, Lady Godiva rode naked through the streets of Coventry on a white horse to convince her husband, Earl Leofric of Mercia, to abolish the heavy taxes that oppressed the citizens. She asked all the townspeople to remain indoors, and covered only with her long hair rode the streets showing both compassion for the citizens and a woman's ingenuity in making her point! She sat straight and properly in the saddle with a look of composure on her face; relaxed, confident, unashamed. Her hair was done in two large braids which were curled snugly at the back of her head, one on each side; she wore no jewelry or other adornment. People looked at her and saw that she was not merely naked, or nude; rather she was in a higher state of presentation -- being a correct and elevated quality of her composure, and resulting also from the people's appraisal, appreciation, and consideration beyond simple voyeurism. To all present this was an experience like no other in their lives. The only images of people unclothed they had ever seen were in the church: Adam and Eve, and the crucified Christ. This was a lady, simple and normal with a body like that of every other woman present, a human, a creature of God's earth. So, all survived the event with peacefulness and dignity, and the taxes were removed.
Article by Alexander S
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