My followers know my instagram nick name Lady Godiva. About 10 years ago, I went to the Panora shopping center in Ankara, I wandered around, I sat in the little cafe downstairs to have a coffee. They brought me an amazing coffee with a very elegant presentation. While sipping my coffee, I threw the chocolate they served with me in my mouth and I still remember the taste, it was amazing. Next to her was a brochure with the story of the chocolate, a very beautiful woman on a horse with her long hair covered on the brochure… Lady Godiva… I was very impressed with the story, the woman and the chocolate, and I changed my nickname to Lady Godiva.
I wanted to share with you the legendary story of this brave woman who was hidden in the dark pages of history.
Why did Lady Godiva, one of the most legendary women of the 11th century with her courage and determination, wander around the city naked?
The inspiring story of Lady Godiva
Leofric, the husband of Lady Godiva, lord of the city of Coventry in England in the 11th century, increased taxes to strengthen the city’s economy. Lady Godiva, who could not remain indifferent to the growing impoverishment of the people because of her husband, asked him to reduce taxes. Lord Leofric vehemently opposed this. Although Godiva’s insistence continued, he said that he would lower taxes in exchange for walking around the street naked. Due to the fact that Lady Godiva was conservative or had a conservative nature at the time, Leofric never thought that his wife would accept this offer. In Christianity, there was a widespread view that walking naked is a great sin, and that men will go to hell if they look at a naked woman. Lady Godiva did the unexpected; On the horse, she walked around the city with her long hair untied. Meanwhile, the people entered their homes and closed the doors and windows, out of respect for Lady Godiva’s sacred purpose. Tom, who was the only person who was secretly looking at Lady Godiva, became blind and thus the term ‘Peeping Tom’ (Peeping Tom) was born in English literature.
As a result, Lord Leofric lowered the taxes. Lady Godiva has become the symbol of freedom. She inspired many people with her courage, determination, and purity. There are still many legends told about her. There are discourses such as that she is not really naked, that abstract nudity is meant in the story, that her hair is actually short, and that the church portrays her with long hair. Regardless, it is a fact that Lady Godiva influenced history. Her story-inspired poems and paintings were made, and a meteorite discovered in 1982 was even named after her. However, a demonstration was held in her name in Coventry in 1678, the film was shot in 1955, and she became the inspiration for the Femen group. There is also a statue of Lady Godiva in the city center of Broadgate.
We all know that Lady Godiva is not and will not be the only heroine of selfless, selfless, selfless stories with a woman in the lead role. I would like to remind all readers who follow my articles how valuable women are and that kindness is not a sign of weakness. We are mother earth, mother nature, goddess of war Athena, goddess of beauty Aphrodite, owner of the tree of life, protector of women and children, and god Umay. We are very beautiful. In this text; To all the beautiful and brave women.
Aylin