Thou lovest me, I woot it wel certeyn,
And art my feithful lige man ybore,
And al that liketh me, I dar wel seyn
It liketh thee, and specially therfore
Tel me that poynt that I have seyd bifore,
If that thou wolt unto that purpos drawe,
To take me as for thy sone-in-lawe.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Clerk’s Tale. Walter likes to flex his marquis muscles when it comes to demanding complete loyalty and obedience from his subjects. He gives Griselda’s father an offer he can’t refuse. I know for certain that you love me and are my faithful liege, he tells him, and all that pleases me it pleases you. So will you take me for your son-in-law, Walter asks? Now how can poor Janicula refuse? This is forecasting of how Walter will later treat Griselda, expecting her to submit totally to his will in a series of brutal trials of her loyalty.