Lady Godiva by Harry Graham (1901)
The story revolves around a woman who rides naked through the streets of Coventry to protest her husband's heavy taxes. She is accompanied by a servant who holds a bridle in front of her. The event becomes a legendary tale, and various interpretations are offered throughout history.
By Harry Graham · First published 1901 · Genre: Poetry, Satire, Historical Fiction · 736 words
First lines
In the old town of Coventry, so people say, / Dwelt a Peer who was utterly lacking in pity; / Universally loathed for the rigorous way / That he burdened the rates of the City. / By his merciless methods of petty taxation, / The poor were reduced to the verge of starvation.
But the Earl had a wife, whom the people adored, / For her kindness of heart even more than her beauty, / And her pitiless lord she besought and implored / To remit this extortionate "duty"; / But he answered: "My dear, pray reflect at your leisure, / What _you_ deem a 'duty,' to _me_ is a pleasure!"
What this Textopian page supports
Lady Godiva is listed on Textopian as a poem by Harry Graham, dated 1901 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Harry Graham
- Date: 1901 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Satire, Historical Fiction, Romance, Legend
- Length: 736 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Lady Godiva by Harry Graham
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Similar titles
- The Dragon Of Wantley by Owen Wister
- A Medieval Romance by Mark Twain
- Poor Romeo by Max Beerbohm
- The Story Of The Tenson by James Branch Cabell
- The Ring by Hilaire Belloc
- Santa Decca by Oscar Wilde
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Satire — The narrative employs humor and irony to critique societal norms and the concept of duty.
- Historical Fiction — The story is based on the legendary figure of Lady Godiva, set in a historical context.
- Romance — The plot involves the relationship between Lady Godiva and her husband, with elements of love and sacrifice.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Romance · Satire · Humor · Fantasy · Adventure · Mythology · Legend · Folklore · English Literature · Middle Ages · Medieval England
More by Harry Graham
- More Misrepresentative Men (1905)
- What's in a Name? (1927)
- Nobody's Darling! (Rhymes for the Times) (1902)
- Roses all the Way (Rhymes for the Times) (1925)
- The Triumph of Jam (Rhymes for the Times) (1902)
- Egregious Eastbourne (Rhymes for the Times) (1907)
- Sarah Owen (Rhymes for the Times) (1902)
- The Last Horsed 'Bus (Rhymes for the Times) (1925)
- All works by Harry Graham