Is "Peeping Tom" once a upon a time a real person?

Question

i always hear this word being used to a pervert person, or once or twice use also this word to make a joke, like "you're such a peeping tom". here's my chance to know where it was originated.

Answer 1

According to the popular story, the beautiful Lady Godiva took pity on the people of Coventry, who were suffering grievously under her husband's oppressive taxation. Lady Godiva appealed again and again to her husband, who obstinately refused to remit the tolls. At last, weary of her entreaties, he said he would grant her request if she would ride naked through the streets of the town. Lady Godiva took him at his word and, after issuing a proclamation that all persons should keep within doors or shut their windows, she rode through, clothed only in her long hair. Only one person in the town, a tailor ever afterwards known as Peeping Tom, disobeyed her proclamation in the first famous instance of voyeurism. In the story, Tom bores a hole in his shutters so that he might see Godiva pass, and is struck blind. In the end, Godiva's husband keeps his word and abolishes the onerous taxes

(Text taken from link below)

Answer 2

According to the popular story, the beautiful Lady Godiva took pity on the people of Coventry, who were suffering grievously under her husband's oppressive taxation. Lady Godiva appealed again and again to her husband, who obstinately refused to remit the tolls. At last, weary of her entreaties, he said he would grant her request if she would ride naked through the streets of the town. Lady Godiva took him at his word and, after issuing a proclamation that all persons should keep within doors or shut their windows, she rode through, clothed only in her long hair. Only one person in the town, a tailor ever afterwards known as Peeping Tom, disobeyed her proclamation in the first famous instance of voyeurism. In the story, Tom bores a hole in his shutters so that he might see Godiva pass, and is struck blind. In the end, Godiva's husband keeps his word and abolishes the onerous taxes.

Answer 3

Peeping Tom
A peeping tom or 'a voyeur' comes from the story of Lady Godiva's ride in the nude through Coventry, when a tailor named Tom spied on her.

Answer 4

Back when lady godiva rode thru the town nude, everyone closed their windows and didn't look at her out of respect, everyone but a guy named tom. hence the name peeping tom

Answer 5

According to legend this was a man that looked out on Lady Godiva as she rode naked through town to save her husband.

Answer 6

yes