The Secrets
of
Lady Godiva
VickiJolene
Edy
Maybe we could be sisters?
Dear VickiJolene,
I was so glad we got to chat yesterday on Skype. I share your heart for learning our family history. Have you figured out if you are related to Lady Godiva yet? You said your sister was tracing it and thought it was a good possibility. I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
Maybe we could be “sisters” too.
It’s not a possibility for me…it’s always been a certainty.
My grandmother lives near Coventry in an old country cottage that was later developed for use by some monks. We grew up hearing about that amazing ride through Coventry. Too bad the songs don’t reflect the real reason she rode.
Apparently, there were high taxes and she continually nagged her husband, Earl Leofric of Mercia to lower them. She had a real heart for the poor. He eventually gave her the challenge that if she would get on her horse and ride through the town naked, that he would not tax the people. And she did it!
I always wondered why he thought she wouldn’t. I mean it was a strong stand by Leofric, and then such a deprecating challenge to one of the highest-ranking women of all England.
Was it because she was such a strong woman of faith that he thought discretion would bridle her desires?
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Then I wondered about Countess Godiva of Mercia. (That was her real title back then.) What was going on inside of her? What enabled her to stand up to him and take such a risk…a risk of reputation, a risk of alienating herself from her church?
You and I, my dear, are not young women anymore…and neither was Godiva. She was 45 when this ride happened. Ok, 45 is still young. Heck, 55 is still young. 60 is the new 30…but she wasn’t the nubile sexy thing that people have made her to be. She was taking a stand as a strong woman!
Well, I have some answers to those questions and more.
Last year my grandmother had to move out of her home. It was a bit of a fiasco. My mother required I go and help her (this while I was in the middle of a huge advertising campaign for a pharmaceutic company).
My son David insisted I go for multiple reasons I’ll share at another time.
My daughter Coco wanted to go but couldn’t. More on that later. She is furious with me right now. She’s in college. We butt heads. It’s typical. Oh well. You understand.... you have daughters too.
So, I went. And discovered what had been hidden in that home for ten centuries!
I thought about this long and hard. I believe that you and others deserve to hear her story. First, let me know if you’re “in.”
Coco is fighting me on this…she thinks it’s a private matter. But I disagree. I find it helpful to share things with other women, and I think that’s what Godiva all about was too.
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I have a collection of her things…it’s just that it’s all in Latin and it’s going to take me some time to translate them. Yes, I can do it…I actually have my undergrad in Ancient Languages. Comes in handy when it’s time to name pharmaceuticals!
Things in my life are a bit crazy right now with work, my husband, and kids…but perhaps this will be helpful to both of us.
Gotta go!
Write back!
Edy
Edy
VickiJolene
Re: Maybe we could be sisters?
Dear Edy,
Somehow it feels like we are already “sisters!” I just love it when women come into my life that have heart, humor, faith, and encouragement. When we chatted I could sense that about you.
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Yes! Count me “in!” Whether I am related or not I want to know her story. Frankly, I don’t know much about her or that time period…just that it was the “Dark Ages.”
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Hope you get some time soon, I am anxious to hear about your trip to Coventry and what you discovered!
Blessings!
VickiJolene
Dear Vicki,
First, I will do my best to share the trip…it’s just a bit weird.
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As I said, last year I was in the middle of developing a huge marketing campaign…all very hush hush. All I can tell you is that this new treatment will help so many women! I’ve never felt so on top of my game…and yet frankly my personal life was falling apart.
Ever have that? At work you can control things, but then you get home and your marriage, your life, your kids seem to control you?
I felt like I was spiraling. Let’s just say that I had major decisions to make but put those on the back burner. So little time to sort out my personal life when my professional life took over.
Ok, I was glad for that. It was wonderful and rewarding and exciting, and I could escape into it. I didn’t have to deal with my husband’s bad habits. I would later, but not now.
That’s when my mother started calling.
Then she would call my daughter Coco, my son David, and my secretary leaving messages with them. My grandmother was failing…dementia. Mom had found her a warm caring nursing home, but Gram was fighting her and the hallucinations of “Peeping Tom” were driving my mom crazy.
Mom was never very organized, and the idea of going through the house and preparing to sell was overwhelming her. Gram was no better. Mom couldn't find where she stored the deed.
Warmly,
Edy
Edy
VickiJolene
Re: Re: Maybe we could be sisters?
This is just the beginning. As Edy explores her Gram's mansion she discovers not only the secrets in Godiva's letters, but a whole lot more.
If you would like to join us on the ride as we continue to discover more about this amazing woman and the unfolding connection between Lady Godiva and women of today,
please click here!