A Famous Legend
In the eleventh century there was a beautiful noblewoman who lived
with her husband in Coventry, England. This noblewoman with long
blond hair that reached almost to the floor was noted as much for her
goodness as for her beauty. Her husband, Lord Leofric of Mercia,
was not nearly as good as she. The taxes he levied on his people
were so heavy that many were not able to pay them. His wife often
pleaded with him to reduce them, but he would not. One day while
she was asking him to help the poor people, he laughed and said,
"Only if you'll ride throughout the streets of town naked." Of course
Lord Leofric knew his wife was a very modest woman, and he did not
expect her to accept his offer, but angry as she was with her
husband, she did. The beautiful wife told all the townspeople to close
their shutters and remain inside and she would do as her husband
asked. The legend goes on to say that everyone in Coventry stayed
inside and locked their shutters as she had asked, except the local
tailor, a man named Tom. Tom was the only one who peered at the
lady with the long blond hair as she rode throughout the streets of
Coventry on her white horse, and forever after he was known as
"Peeping Tom."
Questions:
1. Do you know the name of the Lady in this famous legend?
2. Do we still use the expression, "Peeping Tom?" What does it mean?
3. There is no proof for this legend; do you think it could have actually
happened? Why or why not?
4. There are many other legends in history which cannot be proven true or false.
Many times legends are based on the lives of real people as in the case of Lady
Godiva. and her husband. Do you know of at least two other legends?
5. What does it mean to be a living legend?
6. How might a well-known political figure or entertainer of today become a
legend?
7. Try your hand at writing a legend about someone/something you admire.
(10 marks)