Godiva

The Herbert holds an important collection of artworks relating to the story of Lady Godiva.

Godiva is said to have ridden naked through the streets of Coventry in order to persuade her husband, Earl Leofric, to stop taxing the people. The story was popular in the Victorian period, following the publication of a poem on the subject by Alfred Lord Tennyson in 1842.

The Herbert's collection contains a number of paintings by prominent Victorian artists, such as Sir Edwin Landseer, showing scenes from the story. The collection also includes paintings by the Coventry artist David Gee, which depict the Godiva processions which took place in the city.

Please visit our Google Arts & Culture partnership page to explore the legend of Lady Godiva further.