Godiva (or Godgifu, † 1085) was an Anglo-Saxon nobles of the 11th century.

1043 donated Leofric, Earl of Mercia and his wife Godiva a Benedictine abbey in Coventry and endowed her with rich possessions.

Godiva is the subject of a legend that has been documented since the 13th century: The people suffered under the tax burden for which their husband was responsible. Lady Godiva could not bear to see people suffering. She tried to persuade her husband to reduce the tax burden. He replied that he would not lower taxes until she rides naked through the city. Because Leofric did not expect that his wife would actually muster the courage to ride without clothing through the city, so that the people feel better. Leofric, impressed by the courage of his wife, then passed all taxes, except those on horses.

Since 1678, the ride of the Lady Godiva in Coventry was celebrated by a procession. In the 17th century, the story was further embellished: Only one citizen (Peeping Tom) had dared to watch and then went blind.

Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Godiva

Translated by Google •

Bumble-Bee

August 13, 2025

The Self Sacrifice statue is better known in Coventry as the Lady Godiva statue in Broadgate.

The subject of a wealthy women who would belittle herself and open herself up ridicule and shame for the poor is fairly unique in history.

The story of the statue is one of two Williams – the artist William Reid-Dick and the benefactor or the man who payed for it – William Bassett-Green. Reid-Dick was President of the Royal Institute of Sculptors and Bassett-Green had contacted him in 1936 to see if he know anyone who could make a larger then life stature of Lady Godiva on a horse to go in the centre of Coventry. Reid-Dick said he was the man to do it and gave a quote, but said he was very busy and it would take up to 18 months to design. Bassett-Green said this was okay as he had not got planning permission and tram tracks would have to be removed out of Broadgate so 18 months wait was no problem.

(coventrysociety.org.uk/public-art-in-coventry/self-sacrifice/)

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Elevation 150 m

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Location: Coventry, West Midlands Region, England, United Kingdom

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