Peeping Tom is still with us.

When we arose this morning the local  Peeping Tom, a.k.a. Jake the cat, was sitting on the conservatory roof staring through our bedroom window!

Although the original Peeping Tom probably never existed, it is said that his story is steeped in the 11th Century legend of Lady Godiva and her famous horse ride. Lady Godiva was pleading with her powerful husband, Leofric, Earl of Mercia, over his treatment of his people. The increasingly exasperated Leofric came up with a wager that he was sure would end the argument.
Leofric said he would lower his heavy taxes if Godiva rode through the streets of Coventry completely naked. He misjudged his wife’s reaction to this wager – Godiva met his challenge and made the ride.
Before setting off, the people of Coventry were ordered to stay indoors, close their shutters and make sure they averted their eyes as she passed by. According to the legend, the whole town complied, apart from one man, Tom the tailor, who was unable to resist. As soon as he had peeked through his shutters and spied on the Lady Godiva, however, he was instantly struck blind.