Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva Review

Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva by Eliza Redgold

Publication Date: July 14, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Formats: Ebook, Paperback
Pages: 320
 Genre: Historical Fiction

   

We know her name. We know of her naked ride. We don't know her true story. We all know the legend of Lady Godiva, who famously rode naked through the streets of Coventry, covered only by her long, flowing hair. So the story goes, she begged her husband Lord Leofric of Mercia to lift a high tax on her people, who would starve if forced to pay. Lord Leofric demanded a forfeit: that Godiva ride naked on horseback through the town. There are various endings to Godiva's ride, that all the people of Coventry closed their doors and refused to look upon their liege lady (except for 'peeping Tom') and that her husband, in remorse, lifted the tax. Naked is an original version of Godiva's tale with a twist that may be closer to the truth: by the end of his life Leofric had fallen deeply in love with Lady Godiva. A tale of legendary courage and extraordinary passion, Naked brings an epic story new voice.

PRAISE

"Redgold's variation on this enticing legend is often lyrical and offers a satisfying blend of history, lore, and romance." (Booklist) "Breathes new life into the story of the woman who would stop at nothing to protect her land and people." (Romantic Times) "NAKED delivers far more than the famous ride of Lady Godiva. It's a beautifully woven story of love, loyalty, and the determination of a young woman trying to protect her people and their way of life, no matter the price. Godiva is a wonderfully strong woman in an age of dangerous men, and in NAKED, she certainly meets her match!" (Amalia Carosella, author of HELEN OF SPARTA) "A wonderful, romantic retelling of the Lady Godiva legend. There is the colorful Anglo-Saxon backdrop, warriors, battles, peacemaking, desire, revenge and love - everything a fan of medieval romance could desire - plus a strong-willed heroin. Written with a lyrical lilt to her prose, Redgold adds realism to the myth and love to the lusty tale, allowing readers a glimpse into what might have been." (RT Book Reviews)

MY REVIEW

When the opportunity to read Eliza Regold's novel, Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva, presented itself, I leapt! I love the legend of Lady Godiva, and to have a historical fiction novel in my hands--heaven. I wasn't disappointed. Redgold's telling of the tale of a woman who rode naked on horseback through the center of town is a riveting journey filled with angst, emotion, sacrifice, danger, daring, finding one's self and a great deal of vivid imagery that makes the medieval world come alive.

Lady Godiva is a heroine that I greatly admired, not only because she had the guts to ride naked through town in order to save her people from starvation, but for all she was willing to do for her people, even sacrifice herself. At a young age, she is tested by the savage attack by Thurkill the Tall that leaves her family destroyed and puts her in the center of the battlefield. Her merit tested again and again, and each time we see her grow a little more.

There is also a bit of a love triangle happening here. We know her childhood friend is in love with her and he wanted her to marry him, but she put him off... And along comes Lord Leofric the Earl of Mercia to save the day--and end the life of Thurkill the Tall. Though Edward tempers from loving companion/guard/friend to jealous boar at times, I did feel a little bad for him. But the heart wants what the heart wants, and from the moment Godiva met Leofric, she felt the friction sizzling in the air between them. I loved the fierceness and the gentleness of Leofric, and the way he challenged her and loved her.

The book is very well researched with a plethora of detail in both the landscape, the house, the clothes, the weapons, battles, food, drink, but even riddles, WHICH I LOVE. The writing is fantastic, and flows poetically and beautifully. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I highly recommend this sweeping narrative, with plenty of twists and turns, told from the first-person point-of-view of Godiva, a warrior woman, lover, leader, friend and wife.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKS-A-MILLION | ITUNES | INDIEBOUND | KOBO

ABOUT THE AUTHORELIZA REDGOLD is based upon the old, Gaelic meaning of her name, Dr Elizabeth Reid Boyd. English folklore has it that if you help a fairy, you will be rewarded with red gold. She has presented academic papers on women and romance and is a contributor to the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Romance Fiction. As a non-fiction author she is co-author of Body Talk: a Power Guide for Girls and Stay-at-Home Mothers: Dialogues and Debates. She was born in Irvine, Scotland on Marymass Day and currently lives in Australia. For more information visit Eliza Redgold's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Google+.

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Monday, August 10
Review at Bibliophilia, Please

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Spotlight at Passages to the Past

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Guest Post at The Maiden's Court
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Spotlight at Just One More Chapter

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Review at 100 Pages a Day

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Guest Post at Mina's Bookshelf

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Review at A Bookish Affair

Tuesday, August 18
Review at Book Nerd
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Wednesday, August 19
Review at Unshelfish
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Thursday, August 20
Spotlight at Historical Fiction Connection
Guest Post at A Bookish Affair

Friday, August 21
Review at History From a Woman's Perspective
Review at Let Them Read Books

Monday, August 24
Review at I'm Shelf-ish
Review at Please Pass the Books
Guest Post at Bibliotica

Tuesday, August 25
Review at A Fold in the Spine
Review & Interview at History Undressed
Guest Post at Curling Up By the Fire

Wednesday, August 26
Review at Bookish
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Thursday, August 27
Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book
Review & Guest Post at Romantic Historical Reviews
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Friday, August 28
Review at A Book Drunkard
Review at Book Lovers Paradise

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To enter to win a copy of Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva or a $50 Amazon Gift Card, please enter via the GLEAM form below. Three winners will be chosen. Rules ñ Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on August 28th. You must be 18 or older to enter. ñ Giveaway is open to US residents only. ñ Only one entry per household. ñ All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion ñ Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva Blog Tour

The Legend of Lady Godiva

Does the name Godiva ring any bells with you? If you’re thinking of chocolates…well I’m right there with ya, except I am talking about the woman who inspired Joseph Draps to name his chocolatier Godiva.

Lady Godiva, or by her given Saxon name, Godgifu, Countess of Mercia was married to Earl Leofric of Mercia.

The couple came to Coventry, then a teeny weeny town of Coventry, and in 1043 founded a Benedictine priory. Lady Godiva is said to have given many gifts in honor of the Virgin Mary, by melting down her own gold and silver that were then made into crosses and other spiritual pieces.

The legend says Leofric taxed the people of Coventry harshly, and that many people would plead with Godiva to ask him to lower the taxes. Leofric repeatedly denied her requests. Then one day, fed up with her nagging him about it, he turns to her exasperated and says, “I’ll lower the taxes when you ride through the town naked on your horse!”

With a serious face Godiva says, “Do I have your permission to do so, husband?” Leofric already annoyed beyond belief says yes. Little did he realize that his headstrong wife would actually strip down, climb onto her horse and ride through the village. Now here is where stories differ.
One version says that all the people of the town were ordered inside and were not to look at her as she went by, and another version says all the towns’ people in the marketplace averted their eyes. In both of these versions there is a man named Tom. Tom decides he wants a peek, that naughty boy. He peeps at the beautiful Godiva riding in her birth-day gown (suit didn’t sound right…) down the street, hence the term “peeping Tom.” However the first story of the peeping perv didn’t come out until the 1700’s…

Needless to say, a stunned Leofric lowered the taxes. Edward I, was fascinated with this story and actually had an investigation done to see if it really happened. According to ancient documents, the taxes were lowered at that time.

Coincidence or did someone get naked?

In 1057, Leofric died and was buried in one of the porches of the Abbey. His title went to their only son Aelfgar who died in 1062 leaving the title to his son, Eadwine who was only fourteen at the time. His younger brother Morkere gained the earldom of Northumbria in 1065.

Godiva kept her lands, and continued to possibly rule them until her death. However both of her grandsons would have their lands taken from them by William the Conqueror.

Lady Godiva’s death is not exactly known. It is most definite that she died before the Domesday Book was commissioned in 1085, however we know she died after William conquered England in 1066.

It is noted from the Domesday book, completed in 1086, that Godiva, had holdings in Leicester, Nottinghamshire, and Warwickshire that had not yet been re-granted to anyone else, since at the time of the book she had already passed.

She must have been a very popular woman, and held a lot of clout for William the Conqueror to allow her to keep all of her lands. Most lands were stripped from the noblemen, as was evidenced by her two grandsons. Most women were tossed aside or abused.

We know for certain that Lady Godiva existed, as for the legend, there have been many conflicting arguments. For one thing, it was not recorded until nearly two hundred years after it happened. Also, when this event was supposed to have occurred, Coventry was still a small town with only about 50 working people living there.

Whether or not it’s true it is a fabulous tale, and one the people of Coventry love! Each year a pageant is held that follows the route of the legendary lady. The picture on the left is a statue of Godiva riding on her horse in Coventry.

So is the Legend of Lady Godiva myth or reality? What do you think?

Happy Monday!
Eliza