https://Voice.club - Studying the oil-on-canvas by John Collier, I was struck by the symbolism surrounding Lady Godiva naked on a horse protesting harsh taxes. The whiteness of her horse symbolised purity and virtue. Audaciously, the first feminist represented female empowerment in the 11th century! The rebellious Anglo-Saxon noblewoman was an advocate for justness in her political protest. Why? In Tennyson’s poem “Godiva”, he wrote that she “loved the people well. And loathed to see them overtaxed.”
Gazing at the painting, I imagined the scene between Godiva and her husband, the Earl of Leofric. Outraged by his wife’s constant entreaties to lower taxes, his curses echoed off the stone walls. Vermillion stained his face. Direct dialogue from Tennyson’s poem, “Godiva” resonated in my mind.
Godiva piteously cried, “If they pay this tax, they starve.”
The Earl sneered, “Ride you naked through the town. And I repeal it.”
The condescending Earl never thought his modest wife would accept the challenge.
Godiva’s mind was a pendulum swaying between imperilling her dignity, righteousness and female modesty and harsh taxes harming her people. Boldly, she summoned a herald to warn citizens to stay indoors respecting her virtue while she petitioned naked on their behalf. Long, luxurious locks shielding her feminine charm, she humbly rode naked through the deserted town centre. However, Tennyson described her as “clothed on with chastity.”
Godiva means God’s gift; she selflessly forced the Earl to repeal the taxes. Coventrians honoured her by diverting their eyes. All except one, who was blinded for his insolence and later denounced as Peeping Tom.
Despite a vulnerable and humiliating situation, Godiva symbolised morality and compassion. Tennyson declared Lady Godiva “built herself an everlasting name.” Her noble community service was legendised in songs, poems and sculptures. Proudly, her statue and clock stand in Coventry, where the Annual Godiva Procession is held. Besides inspiring artists, suffragettes recognised her as empowering women. Her self-sacrificing dedication to society made her the unofficial patron for engineers. Even a Belgian chocolate company was named after Lady Godiva because of her love for justness. Lady Godiva became an icon, lasting inspiration and cultural symbol.