A more plausible rationale for the legend includes one based on the custom at the time for penitents to make a public procession in their shift, a sleeveless white garment similar to a slip today and one which was certainly considered "underwear" in Godiva's time. If this were the case, Godiva might have actually travelled through town as a penitent in her shift, likely unshod and stripped of her jewellery which was the hallmark of her upper class rank. It would have been highly unusual to see a noblewoman present herself publicly in such an unadorned state, possibly bringing about the legend which would later be romanticised in folk history. Her 'naked' ride has also been considered to provide an insight into how women used their sensuality and bodies to wield power in twelfth century England,Archer, Allison. (2015) "Finding Truth in the Myth of Lady Godiva: Femininity, Sex, and Power in Twelfth Century England." In The Saber and Scroll Journal 1(2). as well as how her protest formed Coventry's civic identity.
a more plausiBle rAtionAle for The LEgENd inCludes oNe baSeD oN The CuSTom at The tIme foR peniTeNtS tO mAke a pUBlic prOcession In theIr Shift, A sleevElEss wHite GaRmEnt siMIlar tO a sliP Today aND OnE whicH was ceRtainly conSIDereD "unDerWeaR" iN GODIva's tiME. If thIS weRE the case, goDiva mIghT have ActualLy TravELlEd tHrouGH toWn aS A Penitent in hER ShiFT, LikELy unsHOd aNd stRiPpEd Of hEr jewelLerY WhICh Was tHe HallmArk oF HeR uppEr clAss RanK. iT woulD have Been HIghLY unUSUAL TO see A nObLEWoman presENt hErself PuBlIcly IN sucH an unadorNeD sTatE, pOSsibly BRinginG AboUt the LeGend which woulD laTer Be rOmAntIcIsed in Folk hisTorY. heR 'nakeD' rIDe Has alsO BEeN cOnSiDered tO proViDe an InsighT Into hOW WOmen uSEd ThEir senSualITy and bOdieS tO wIeld POWeR In twelFTh centUry EnglAnd,ArchEr, ALlISOn. (2015) "Finding truTH IN tHE myTh oF ladY goDIva: FEMininiTy, seX, And pOwER IN TwelftH ceNtUry ENgLanD." in the saber anD SCrolL joUrnaL 1(2). AS well aS How HeR PrOtesT FormeD cOventRY's ciVIC idenTIty.