An unfortunate tumble from her horse caused consternation among the crowds witnessing Lady Godiva‘s ‘naked’ procession through Coventry.
LADY GODIVA’S PROCESSION. – Coventry fair was opened on Friday with the singluar procession of Lady Godiva on horseback, which forms the most curious, splendid, and indecent pageant ever witnessed in this kingdom. The advanced ranks, composed as usual of the city guards, accoutred in their ancient black armour, with the band of the Lancers immediately preceded the pages of Lady Govida, personated by one of the pale beauties of the town, in a flesh coloured silk dress fitting tight to her skin; then came the different trades of the city, decorated in the most splendid manner, each precede by their respective bands of music, and accompanied by their children fancifully arrayed. This procession passed as usual through most of the streets of Coventry, which, unlike the original procession, were crowded to excess, and Peeping Toms were here in thousands. In Baily-lane her naked Ladyship was seized with an unaccountable dizziness, and fell from her horse, when the peole crowded round her so as to render it necessary to clear the street. This was nearly at the end of the procession, which was completed without the presence of the lady.
Stamford Mercury, 9th June, 1826.