And doun upon hir knes she gan to falle,
And with sad contenance kneleth stille,
Til she had herd what was the lordes wille.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Clerk’s Tale. On the day that Walter plans to marry her, Griselda falls down on her knees before him to hear what is his will. This forecasts how Griselda will show total submissiveness, loyalty and obedience to Walter as a wife, even in the cruel trials he puts her through.