A woman with extensive marital experience, having had five husbands, recounts her views on marriage and female sovereignty. She argues that her life experiences grant her authority to speak on the subject, challenging societal norms regarding women's roles and desires. In a tale set in the time of King Arthur, a knight is condemned to death for raping a maiden. The queen intervenes, offering him a chance to save his life by discovering what women truly desire. He embarks on a quest, encountering various opinions but finding no consensus. Ultimately, he meets an old woman who promises to reveal the answer if he agrees to marry her. Upon returning to court, the knight declares that women desire sovereignty over their husbands. The old woman claims her reward, demanding marriage. Reluctantly, he complies, and their wedding night is filled with his disdain for her age and appearance. She confronts him about his behavior, asserting that true gentility comes from virtuous actions, not lineage. The old woman offers him a choice: to have her as an old, loyal wife or as a young, unfaithful one. He defers to her judgment, granting her mastery. In turn, she transforms into a beautiful young woman, and they live happily together, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and understanding in marriage. The narrative concludes with a prayer for young, obedient husbands and a curse on those who resist their wives' governance.
By Geoffrey Chaucer · First published 1395 · Genre: Medieval Literature, Allegory, Romance