Internet voyeurism was born 329 years ago today

Lady Godiva by John Collier, ca 1897

On this day in history, May 31, 1678, a Lady Godiva rode naked through the streets of Coventry, England, to protest her husband's taxation on the people. She had begged him again and again to lift the toll. He finally told her that he would grant her request if she would ride naked through the streets of the town.

Godiva issued a proclamation that all the townsfolk should keep in doors and shut their windows. According to legend, only the town tailor, Tom, disobeyed her order. He was known thereafter as "Peeping Tom".

And not much has changed in 329 years.