A marchant whilom dwelled at Seint-Denys,
That riche was, for which men helde hym wys.
A wyf he hadde of excellent beautee;
And compaignable and revelous was she,
Which is a thyng that causeth more dispence
Than worth is al the chiere and reverence
That men hem doon at festes and at daunces.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Shipman’s Tale. We are introduced to a rich merchant in Saint-Denis, near Paris, whose high-maintenance wife is beautiful, sociable and fond of revelry. But her lifestyle is a matter of concern for the merchant because she incurs him a lot of expense.