Why Is Patient Griselda So Called?

The Tale of Griselda comes from Boccachio's "Decameron" and was retold by Chaucer in his "Canterbury Tales." In Chaucer's version, Griselda is a peasant girl who is married to Walter, lord of the district. She is an excellent wife, much loved by him and the people; nevertheless he takes it into his head to test her obedience. First he asks her to give up her baby daughter to be killed, on the pretext that the people are unhappy with his "low" marriage and the fruits of it. She immediately does so. Later, when she has a son, the same thing happens. By this time the local people have come to hate Walter as a tyrant; however, he continues to push Griselda. When they have been married about fifteen years he tells her that the people require him to take a nobly-born wife, so she must stand aside. Griselda calmly returns to her father's house, and lives there until Walter summons her back to the castle to help prepare the wedding feast for his new wife. It is only when she has done all this that Walter finally relents, embraces her and admits the truth: the children have been secretly brought up elsewhere and his young "bride-to-be" is in fact their daughter .Griselda faints with joy.

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