Godiva was a historic person, the wife of Leofric, the 11th century Earl of Mercia. Legend has it that she rode naked through the streets of Coventry – covered only by her long hair –to gain a remission of the oppressive taxation that her husband had imposed on his tenants. Godiva has become a powerful symbol of compassion and commitment to social justice, and is the most important civic icon of the city.

For more information about Godiva see this Wikipedia page and this page on Coventry City website.