Lady Godiva by Jules Joseph Lefevre

Anglo-Saxon Countess, wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia, who, according to legend, traveled naked through the streets of Coventry in Great Britain in order for the Earl, her husband, to reduce exorbitant taxes for his subjects.

According to legend, Godiva was the beautiful wife of Count Leofric. The count’s subjects suffered from exorbitant taxes, and Godiva begged her husband to reduce the tax burden. Once at the next feast, being very drunk, Leofric promised to cut taxes if his wife drove naked on a horse through the streets of Coventry. He was sure that this condition would be completely unacceptable for her.

However, Godiva still took this step. Residents of the city, very loving and respecting her for her kindness, on the appointed day closed the shutters and doors of their houses, no one went outside. So unnoticed, she drove through the city. The count was struck by the dedication of the woman and, by lowering the taxes, kept his word.