Peeping Tom

   , LADY GODIVA

   There are many versions of the famous ride of Lady Godiva. But the one that is most often repeated portrays her as being exceedingly vexed by her husband, Lord Leofric, Lord of Coventry, for imposing exorbitant taxes on his subjects. Although she made persistent pleas to him to reduce the people's burden, he was obdurate and paid no attention to her. But one day, in a sporting mood, he told his wife that he would make a bargain with her: If she would ride through the streets of Coventry without a stitch of clothing, he would concede to her wishes and lower taxes.

   To Leofric's astonishment, she accepted the challenge. After asking all the townspeople to stay indoors and close their shutters, Lady Godiva, completely unclad, did indeed mount a white horse and, riding sidesaddle, made the celebrated ride through the town. The townspeople honored her request that they stay indoors with blinds closed—everyone except the town tailor, Tom. While Lady Godiva rode by, he peeped through the shutters and, as legend has it, was struck blind. According to the story, Leofric, after lowering his wife from the horse, then lowered the taxes.

   A Peeping Tom is a voyeur, a man who sneakily looks at what he has no license to see, peeping at night through other people's windows.