What an excellent article, thank you. Lady Godiva's story reminds me a bit of the Life of St Ethelflaeda of Romsey Abbey, who was another influential 11th century leader. She was widely praised for her night-time habit of going to a nearby 'fount' (probably the river Test) to bathe in the nude each night to say her psalms. It was an ascetic devotion that even formed part of her cult, recorded in the Nova Legenda Angliae (a summary can be found here: https://archive.org/details/cu31924028057226). My wife painted an Orthodox icon of this chilly devotion, and displayed it in a London church recently, which was as well received as it was unexpected. Although the lives of both Lady Godiva and St Ethelflaeda are recorded fairly late it is an interesting parallel, and based on other studies I wouldn't put much past Saxon women.
What a great comment, thank you. I hadn't connected the two women, but the stories are similar and they would have been contemporaries! I'll be putting AEthelflaed of Romsey on my list for future newsletters
I wonder if the "fount" was Mottisfont? There is a spring in the grounds of the Abbey just under 5 miles away. But there may be many such springs in the area, as the geology is conducive to them.
Really enjoyed reading this article, it certainly shattered the understanding gained from childhood stories. You mentioned that Roger of Wendover had a habit of exaggerating and fabricating stories. I wondered if the concept of a noblewoman riding naked for a purpose was a common myth in other cultures that he had appropriated or is this a relatively unique myth?
What a great question! I'm no expert in thirteenth century writing, but I have heard a few early medieval stories of female saints who are miraculously able to hide their nudity. For example, Saint Agnes was condemned to walk through the streets and her hair grew to cover her nudity, I think Roger may well have been thinking on those lines!
What an excellent article, thank you. Lady Godiva's story reminds me a bit of the Life of St Ethelflaeda of Romsey Abbey, who was another influential 11th century leader. She was widely praised for her night-time habit of going to a nearby 'fount' (probably the river Test) to bathe in the nude each night to say her psalms. It was an ascetic devotion that even formed part of her cult, recorded in the Nova Legenda Angliae (a summary can be found here: https://archive.org/details/cu31924028057226). My wife painted an Orthodox icon of this chilly devotion, and displayed it in a London church recently, which was as well received as it was unexpected. Although the lives of both Lady Godiva and St Ethelflaeda are recorded fairly late it is an interesting parallel, and based on other studies I wouldn't put much past Saxon women.
What a great comment, thank you. I hadn't connected the two women, but the stories are similar and they would have been contemporaries! I'll be putting AEthelflaed of Romsey on my list for future newsletters
I wonder if the "fount" was Mottisfont? There is a spring in the grounds of the Abbey just under 5 miles away. But there may be many such springs in the area, as the geology is conducive to them.
Thank you. Very enlightening!
Interesting. Great Work
Interesting. Great Work
Fascinating! I was always wondering about the true origins of the story. You delivered a truly artful answer. Three cheers!
Really enjoyed reading this article, it certainly shattered the understanding gained from childhood stories. You mentioned that Roger of Wendover had a habit of exaggerating and fabricating stories. I wondered if the concept of a noblewoman riding naked for a purpose was a common myth in other cultures that he had appropriated or is this a relatively unique myth?
What a great question! I'm no expert in thirteenth century writing, but I have heard a few early medieval stories of female saints who are miraculously able to hide their nudity. For example, Saint Agnes was condemned to walk through the streets and her hair grew to cover her nudity, I think Roger may well have been thinking on those lines!
Lady Godiva us my great great way back grandmother