Lady Godiva

According to legend, Lady Godiva took pity on the people of Coventry, who were suffering grievously under her husband’s oppressive taxation. Lady Godiva appealed again and again to her husband, who obstinately refused to remit the tolls. At last, weary of her entreaties, he said he would grant her request if she would strip naked and ride through the streets of the town. Lady Godiva took him at his word and, after issuing a proclamation that ‘Then she rode back clothed on with chastity, she took the tax away and built her an everlasting name’ (Tennyson). Godiva’s husband kept his word and abolished the onerous taxes.