Lady Godiva Procession in Coventry (1902)
Crowds pay homage to the legendary naked rider during Coventry's Edwardian coronation celebrations.
Godgifu, an 11th century noblewoman, famously rode naked through the streets of Coventry to save her people from what historian Daniel Donoghue described as "an oppressive and shameful servitude". This film comprises four extracts from a two to three-hour procession, held in Coventry on the afternoon of 9 September 1902 to commemorate her legend and to mark the coronation of Edward VII.
The procession starred the fabulously voluptuous and successful London Hippodrome actress Vera Guedes as Godiva/Godgifu. The film opens with a lingering shot of Godiva on horseback (in a flesh-coloured dress), highlighting her significance in the event. The remaining sequences shift the focus as the procession is used to exhibit local trade.
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Edwardians at Leisure
A nation unwinds (but keeps its hat firmly on).
Leisure time was a distant dream for millions of working Britons through much of the Victorian era. But by the dawn of the 20th century wages had risen for most. An entire industry sprang up to serve workers with more time on their hands and money in their pockets.
Mitchell and Kenyon were at home in a world of showmen and fairgrounds, where their films were often shown. Fairgrounds feature in several films, as do carnivals and processions, agricultural shows, seaside resorts and some wonderfully eccentric local customs, from egg rolling to well dressing – proving once again that the Edwardians knew how to have fun.
47 videos in this collection
1
2
Trip to Sunny Vale Gardens at Hipperholme (1901)
3
Sedgwick's Bioscope Showfront at Pendlebury Wakes (1901)
4
Great Yorkshire Show at Leeds (1902)
5
Llandudno May Day (1907)
6
Hull Fair (1902)
7
Bailey's Royal Buxton Punch and Judy Show (1901)
8
Lady Godiva Procession in Coventry (1902)
9
Parade on Morecambe Central Pier (1902)
10
Whitsuntide Fair at Preston (1906)
11
Leeds Crossgates Show (1904)
12
Preston Egg Rolling (c.1901)
13
Scenes at Chester on the River Dee (1901)
14
Algie's Circus in Carlisle (1901)
15
Leyland May Festival (1905)
16
Ribble at Preston (c.1901)
17
Bootle May Day Demonstration and Crowning of the May Queen (1903)
18
Tynemouth Swimming Gala in the Haven, North Shields (1901)
19
Blackpool North Pier (1903)
20
Douglas Harbour Paddle Steamer (1902)
21
Sunday Parade in East Park in Hull (1904)
22
Skipton Hospital Procession (1902)
23
Blackpool Promenade Extension (1905)
24
Parade on West End Pier Morecambe (1901)
25
Sunday Promenade of Spectators in West Park, Hull (1902)
26
Blackburn Plant Growing Competition (1905)
27
Waves at Southport (1902)
28
Armley and Wortley Carnival (1904)
29
Scenes in Abington Park, Northampton (1902)
30
Crowd Entering St George's Hall, Bradford (1901)
31
Panorama of Cork Exhibition Grounds (1902)
32
Panoramic View of Southport Promenade (1902)
33
Lytham Trams and Views Along the Route (1903)
34
Preparation of the Cork Exhibition Grounds and Erection of Buildings (1902)
35
Arrival of VIP For Official Opening of Cork Exhibition (1902)
36
Steamboats at Blackpool North Pier (1903)
37
Leeds Lifeboat Procession and Sports at Roundhay Park (1902)
38
Views of the Trent Bridge Boulevard (1902)
39
Leeds Lifeboat Demonstration (1902)
40
Leeds Lifeboat Procession (1902)
41
New Brighton, Egremont and Seacombe Promenade (1904)
42
Les Montagnes Russes, Blackpool’s Latest Attraction (1902)
43
Scenes by the Stone Jetty, Morecambe (1902)
44
Rough Sea at Roker (1901)
45
Green's Racing Bantams at Preston Whit Fair (1906)
46
Lytham Club Day Carnival (1902)
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