Griselda

Fictional character of folk-tale origin whose conduct typifies wifely obedience. In the story she is a virtuous and beautiful peasant girl, wooed by the Marquis of Saluzzo. She becomes his wife, and to assure himself of her character he puts her through a series of ordeals. She passes them all successfully, thus ensuring the happiness of the marriage.

Versions of the story are found throughout Europe in both dramatic and narrative form. The version in Boccaccio's Decameron was modified by Petrarch, and this revised version was used by Chaucer in his Clerkes Tale.