28 May 2008

Godiva rides again

ZUI this article from the Daily Mail:
An unexpected sight greeted a few startled early risers this morning as a group of young women rode almost naked on a white horse through Hyde Park recalling the legend of Lady Godiva.

The real Lady Godiva modesty was said to be preserved only by her long tresses when she rode naked through the streets of Coventry in protest against her husband's harsh taxation of his people.

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The ride was organised by the film director Vicky Jewson, who directed a modern retelling of the story recently.

Several naked ladies on horseback rode through Hyde Park for the DVD release of British romantic comedy Lady Godiva, and to raise money for Maggie's Cancer Support Centre in Oxford.

Lady Godiva, a noblewoman during the reign of King Canute, is said to have ridden naked through Coventry in an attempt to stop her husband's cruel treatment of the people of the city.


Actress Libby Jewson who plays Penny in the film was one of the group who created the startling spectacle to promote the film about a schoolteacher who has to decide whether to recreate Lady Godiva's infamous ride to win a £100,000 bet.

Warning: The article linked to above includes photographs of the riders, and may not be safe for viewing at work.

IMDb's listing for Lady Godiva can be found here.

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