The Earl of Mercia watches his wife ride through Coventry.

I forgot to put this in my description. Around 1040, the Earl of Mercia imposed harsh taxes on the people of Coventry. His wife, Lady Godiva, begged him for days to stop the taxes, and the poorest were dying. Scornfully, he said he would only stop the taxes on the day she rode naked through the streets of Coventry. He never thought she would, until she did. Or so the story goes...

Love all those noses and hands. Don’t they look a scruffy bunch. Great skill as always Lewis.

Great Lew. His expression doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. The other two have no doubt. Lovely work. (-:

You'd think she was naked by the look on his face. *grin* Great characterisation and humour, Lew. Bri

What a shock - great expression!

As always Lewis, brilliant !!

Never had History lessons like this when I was at school , Lewis , as a matter of interest - did he keep his word ? can't remember ever hearing an ending to the story .

Thanks very much for your great feedback. These old stories fascinate me. Mike, the people involved were real, but sadly this story is a myth. There are several versions of it. The version mainly told is that when Godiva made her naked ride, and the whole town stayed indoors out of respect for what she was doing, and for her modesty. The character of 'peeping Tom' was added much later...he had a look and suffered for it. Some versions say he was struck blind, and others that he was struck down dead. In this story, the Earl immediately stopped the tax...highly unlikely if the story was true. Tax were set by the King, so the Earl would have had to obey. This was the time of King Canute. Another version of the story has the whole town gathered to watch the ride. Lady Godiva was escorted by two heavily armed knights. (Not such a good yarn, so the first one prevails). The real Lady Godiva performed many good deeds on behalf of the poor...but not this one. She was a widow when she married the Earl, so not the teenage nymphet painted by all those Victorian artists.

Brilliant sketch, Lewis

The expressions are amazing Lewis.

Excellent!

thanks , Lewis

Love there astounded faces Lew!