GODIVA,
The name of a beautiful lady, sister of Therald de Burgenhall, sheriff of Lincolnshire, and wife of Leofric, Earl of Leicester, who was the eldest son of Algar, the great Earl of Mercia. This lady, having an extraordinary affection for Coventry, solicited her husband to release the inhabitants of that city from a grievous tax laid on them. He consented, on condition that she would ride naked through the streets of Coventry in noon-day. This she did, first enjoining every one to keep within their houses, the doors and windows of which were to be closely shut. She then partially veiled herself with her flowing hair, mounted her palfrey, and made the circuit of the city. Leofric kept his promise, and the city of Coventry was relieved from the oppression. This adventure was painted in one of the windows of Trinity-church, in Coventry, with these lines,
"I, Leofric, for the love of thee,
Do make Coventry toll-free."