Lady Godiva: A Woman Who Dared to Be Bare
© Debbie Legare
Once married, Godiva and her husband lived in Shrewsbury where Leofric made a fortune dealing in the Mutton trade. Being younger than her husband, it was quite natural for her to become fascinated with the outdoors, the arts and her own desires to be respected by her peers while her husband made his priority money, work and opportunity.
The couple was considered to be quite religious in their home town but it was upon their move to Coventry, Warwickshire, that they immediately noticed an opportunity awaiting. The lack of facilities for practicing or housing men of the cloth was no where to be found in the village that at the time had a population estimated 6000. They were worried that the spiritual needs of the townspeople were not being met. Since being considered "nouveau riche", they applied their cash to the worthy cause. The Earl and his wife were unable to make such an impact while they lived in Shrewsbury since they were considered to not have the credentials to enter such social circles. Coventry would change that so they were anxious to make a lasting mark in the town of such genteel people. Near the physical center of Coventry, the couple founded an abbey or monastery that they named in honor of Ste. Eunice of Saxmundam who was considered an early martyr slain by the Romans. The abbey was built to face the rising sun as decreed by Leofric in a moment of romantic inspiration. It was a simple building with a thatched reed roof but it was considered a monumental place for the people that surrounded it. It was truly at the time the biggest structure in the entire region. The abbey stands on what is now the bombed out ruin of the Coventry Cathedral and near the new Coventry Cathedral that was built by German students after World War II.Later. On October 4, the monestary was dedicated to St. Peter, St. Osburg and the Virgin Mary, to whom Godiva was particularly devoted. It didn't take long for the monastary to become the social focus, functioning for education and the housing of those who became teachers of God. It was also the center of Coventry's popular events and festivities. Lady Godiva and her husband began to get the attention they always dreamed of and the respect they hoped for while serving the purpose of the church as well. They didn't even seem to have concerns that much of the festivities were considered Druid in origin. They were happy that the town's people were happy. Godiva's gifts of jewels and gems made the chapel one of the richest in England. Coventry grew by leaps and bounds during this time much to their delight.
