Guest Post by Eliza Redgold, Author of Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva

 

I am so excited to have Eliza Redgold, author of Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva, on the blog today with a wonderful guest post about the "real peeping Tom". Her book sounds fabulous and I cannot wait to get the time to read it! Be sure to continue after the guest post for more information about the book and a tour-wide giveaway. Enjoy!

 

 

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Did Tom Peep?

 

 

*This blog post comes to us from Eliza Redgold, author, academic and unashamed romantic. Her new novel Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva was released by St Martin’s Press on July 14, 2015*

 

“To think of it my lady!” Walburgha cried.  “He tried to peep! That Tom! That peeping Tom! But he got what he deserved,” she added with relish.

“Peeping Tom? What happened?”

“It’s the strangest tale,” Leofric said. To my amazement I realized he’d been trying to hold back a smile during the telling of Walburgha's story. There was the slight crease in his cheek I’d noticed before, as though a dimple of laughter had once lived there. “This man, Tom Tanner, was the only one not to keep to the vow your people of Coventry made.”

“The shame of it!” Walburgha interjected.

“He too went into his house, like the other townsfolk, I understand.” Leofric continued. “But he didn’t look away as you passed. Instead, he tried to look on upon you.”

“Oh! When I passed Tom the Tanner’s house, I had the oddest feeling that there was someone looking.”

- From Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva

 

Lady Godiva’s naked ride, covered only by her long, flowing hair, is a well-known legend. So the story goes, Godiva begged her husband Leofric to lift a high tax on her people, who would starve if they were forced to pay. He demanded a forfeit: that Godiva ride naked on horseback through the town of Coventry. All the townsfolk closed their doors and refused to look upon their liege lady – except for Peeping Tom.


Peeping Tom is of the most famous characters in Godiva’s tale. Yet Tom is a relatively recent invention, as thousand-year-old stories go. Tom first peeped in sixteenth century versions of the story. He was the only one of the townsfolk who couldn't resist a glance at Godiva and for doing so was struck blind. His name has become synonymous with curiosity having a cost.


Fascinating theories about Tom and his prurient gaze go even further back into ancient history. In early Celtic, Greek and Roman times there were prohibitions against men witnessing sacred female processions. In myth, no man was allowed to witness the Teutonic goddess Hertha’s procession back through the woods after her ritual bath, while in Greek legend it was at a man’s peril to witness the woodland bathing of the goddess of the hunt, Diana. Godiva’s ride may well have descended from one of these tales.


Peeping Tom plays a pivotal role in NAKED: A Novel of Lady Godiva. As to what he saw – you’ll have to see for yourself!

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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)

Buy the Book

 

 

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

 

 

About the Author

 

 

 

ELIZA 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+.





 

Giveaway Time!!!



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 HERE. Three winners will be chosen.

 

Rules

 

Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on August 28th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

 

Giveaway is open to US residents only.

 

Only one entry per household.

 

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

 

Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

 

 

Good Luck!!

 

 

Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva Blog Tour Schedule

 

 



Monday, August 10

Review at Bibliophilia, Please

Tuesday, August 11

Spotlight at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, August 12

Guest Post at The Maiden’s Court
Spotlight at A Book Geek

Thursday, August 13

Spotlight at Just One More Chapter

Friday, August 14

Review at 100 Pages a Day

Saturday, August 15

Guest Post at Mina’s Bookshelf

Monday, August 17

Review at A Bookish Affair

Tuesday, August 18

Review at Book Nerd
Guest Post at A Literary Vacation

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
Spotlight at The True Book Addict

Thursday, August 27

Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book
Review & Guest Post at Romantic Historical Reviews
Guest Post at The Lit Bitch

Friday, August 28

Review at A Book Drunkard
Review at Book Lovers Paradise