10 Comments
Apr 5, 2021Liked by Florence H R Scott

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.

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May 14, 2021Liked by Florence H R Scott

Thank you. Very enlightening!

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May 10, 2021Liked by Florence H R Scott

Interesting. Great Work

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May 10, 2021Liked by Florence H R Scott

Interesting. Great Work

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May 9, 2021Liked by Florence H R Scott

Fascinating! I was always wondering about the true origins of the story. You delivered a truly artful answer. Three cheers!

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Apr 8, 2021Liked by Florence H R Scott

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?

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Lady Godiva us my great great way back grandmother

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