What happend to peeping tom?

Answer 1

The term 'peeping Tom' evolved from the story of Lady Godiva, an Anglo- Saxon noblewoman who live in the 11th Century.

According to legend, Godiva's husband, Leofric, Earl of Mercia, imposed oppressive taxes on his tenants, who appealed to Godiva to intervene. Initially he refused to forego the taxes but after much pleading by his wife , Leofric, thinking that Godiva would not accept, agreed to forego the taxes if Godiva rode naked through the streets of Coventry, England. Following a proclamation that all all the townsfolk should close their shutters and stay indoors, Lady Godiva rode naked through the streets of Coventry. A tailor, who subsequently became known as 'peeping Tom' disobeyed the proclamation and watched as Lady Godiva rode through the town. According to legend he was struck blind as a result of his misdeed. Ever since then the phrase 'peeping Tom' has been synonymous with voyeur.

Both Godiva and Leofric are historical figures and are commerorated as benefactors of city of Coventry. There is no historical proof that the legend is in any way true and no mention of any such incident is recorded in conteporary literature.