Lady Godiva

Lady Godiva is a 1911 American silent historical drama film directed by J. Stuart Blackton and produced by Vitagraph Studios in Brooklyn, New York. Its scenario is based on a legendary incident in the life of Godiva, Countess of Mercia, who lived in England during the mid-11th century. Allegedly, the Anglo-Saxon noblewoman rode naked—covered only by her long hair—through the streets of Coventry to protest and abolish an oppressive tax imposed on that town's residents by her husband, Leofric, Earl of Mercia. The film, copies of which survive today, stars Julia Swayne Gordon in the title role with a supporting cast including Robert Maillard, Harold Wilson, and Kate Price. Plot It is the year 1040 in the town of Coventry, England. The local lord, Leofric, has imposed a heavy tax on the residents, many of whom are on the verge of starvation. They appeal for help from the caring noblewoman Lady Godiva, who is the wife of Leofric. On the people's behalf, she pleads with her husband to revoke the tax and relieve their suffering. Leofric, who quickly grows weary of her pleas, decides to test his wife's sincerity and her resolve by promising to rescind the tax if she will ride naked on horseback through the streets of the town. Godiva accepts the condition despite the prospect of such a public humiliation. Before riding through Coventry, the lady instructs her attendants to post in town a proclamation in which she expresses her love for the people and to end the tax for them she explains, "To save you, I must ride thro' the town unclothed". Her proclamation also asks all residents to support her by remaining "within your homes two hours at mid day", shutting all doors and windows, and adding "Let no eye look out." At the appointed time, Lady Godiva slowly rides through the streets, with only her long hair, extending from her head "to her knee", partially covering her bare body. All the townspeople but one dutifully follow their lady's instructions to stay indoors and to avoid observing her as she passes. Only the town's lecherous tailor, Thomas, cannot resist the temptation to see Godiva fully unclothed. Cutting a small hole into a closed shutter at his house, he peeks at her riding by and is instantly struck blind. Forever after known as "Peeping Tom", the tailor for his transgression suffers divine retribution, resulting in his eyes being "shrivell'd into darkness in his head".