Legend of Lady Godiva Photo

Photographer’s Note

Still on my challenge to make you discover the city of Coventry. Right in the centre of Coventry, you can see this statue of Lady Godiva, wife of Lord Leofric, owner of the surrounding lands during the medieval times.
According to the popular story, Lady Godiva took pity on the people of Coventry, who were suffering grievously under her husband's oppressive taxation. Lady Godiva appealed again and again to her husband, who obstinately refused to remit the tolls. At last, weary of her entreaties, he said he would grant her request if she would strip naked and ride through the streets of the town. Lady Godiva took him at his word and, after issuing a proclamation that all persons should keep within doors and shut their windows, she rode through the town, clothed only in her long hair. In the end, Godiva's husband keeps his word and abolishes the onerous taxes.
Last year, Coventry town hall asked the population if they would be happy to move this statue and create something new in the centre. But the Coventry population is very keen of this statue and refused the idea of moving her.

Jeppo, Royaldevon, Dyerco, Kielia has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Royaldevon (5888) 2008-06-01 8:00

Hello Estelle,

Good to have you back!
Yes, I'm all in agreement with tradition being upheld! The people of Coventry made a good decision!

Your pov, looking up at the statue, gives it good status.
I like its position, slightly off-centre but dominating the entire shot!
Lovely colours and composition. The details are generally good but I feel that the statue would benefit from a little more brightness.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Dyerco (8984) 2008-06-01 8:21

Hi Estelle
I wonder if a flash would have provided a little more light on the statue as it is quite dark. Why the cover over the statue?
Phil

batalay (20804) 2008-06-01 8:31

Hello Estelle,

I am delighted to see this image. What is astonishing is that the canopy over the statue is still standing. During the mid-70s I was a post-doc at Oxford, and visited Coventry when they were just putting up the canopy over the statue. There was a clock tower in the back, with the mechanical dolls emerging to chime on the hour. (I have been a professor in the United States since). Thanks for a shot of rejuvenating old memory cells.

Warm regards and enjoy what is left of Sunday.

Bulent

Kielia (8367) 2008-06-01 8:44

Hi Estelle,

thank you for this nice photo and the informative note. This is what TE is supposed to be!
I am also asking myself about the cover. Is it a parasol?
About the decision not to move her: People in Coventry seem to be wise people.
Thank you for sharing!
Best regards
Harriet

nata (484) 2008-07-08 11:41

Hello Estelle, indeed a nice shot. I have to Coventry recently, unfortunately the weather wasn't good and i couldn't take the picture of this statue. Nice POV, TFS
nata