And for to lede the moore in blisse hir lyves, Of his free wyl he swoor hire as a knyght That nevere in al his lyf he, day ne nyght, Ne sholde upon hym take no maistrie Agayn hir wyl, ne kithe hire jalousie, But hire obeye, and folwe hir wyl in al, As any lovere to his lady shal, Save that the name of soveraynetee, That wolde he have for shame of his degree.

And for to lede the moore in blisse hir lyves,
Of his free wyl he swoor hire as a knyght
That nevere in al his lyf he, day ne nyght,
Ne sholde upon hym take no maistrie
Agayn hir wyl, ne kithe hire jalousie,
But hire obeye, and folwe hir wyl in al,
As any lovere to his lady shal,
Save that the name of soveraynetee,
That wolde he have for shame of his degree.

– Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales, The Franklin’s Tale. Arveragus swears to Dorigen that in their marriage he will not take upon himself any mastery against her will, nor show her any jealousy. But he promises to obey her and follow her will in everything, as any lover to his lady should. The one exception he makes is that he will maintain the appearance of sovereignty to avoid bringing shame on his status as a knight.

Geoffrey Chaucer Quotes