Ne koude nat us self devysen how
We myghte lyven in moore felicitee,
Save o thyng, lord, if it youre wille be,
That for to been a wedded man yow leste;
Thanne were youre peple in sovereyn hertes reste.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Clerk’s Tale. One of Walter’s noblemen met with him to inform him what the people wanted of their leader – that he should marry. That would make the people happier and give them complete peace of mind, he explains to the Marquis.