If Duke Walter had not known for sure how dearly Griselda loved her children, he might have thought from her manner that she did not care for them at all; for neither by word nor deed did she ever swerve from her wifely love and reverence for him.  Yet his people were amazed and angry that their lord should show such cruelty towards his own children.

When the daughter was twelve years old, the duke’s mind was again filled with this strange desire to try Griselda still further.  This time he sent to the Pope, asking for letters to declare his marriage with Griselda annulled, and when these came, he proclaimed to the world that he was about to marry a fair young girl, the descendant of a noble house.  He spoke roughly of the matter to Griselda.  “You know,” he said, “I may neither speak nor act as does a ploughman or a peasant.  My will must be that of my people, who now demand that I take a high-born maid to wife, and leave you.  I am sorry, but it must needs be that we part.  Therefore, I charge you, leave your fine robes and your jewels, and with such possessions as you brought here, return again to your father’s house.  Let’s see now whether your fine promises of meek obedience and patience hold.”  Griselda, though grieved in heart, answered gently, “I well remember, my lord, that from my father’s house I brought you nothing except my true love and faith.  My poor clothes were all taken from me when fine women dressed me for my wedding.  Ah me! how kind you seemed to me that day!  I will obey you always, and go humbly and willingly.  Your word is my law, but grant that I may take my smock at least, to cover me when I go.”  The duke assented gruffly, and away went poor Griselda, with bare head and feet, clad only in one plain garment, till she came to her father’s house.  Many followed her, weeping, for they loved her dearly, but none except her poor old father dared help her or plead for her.

She had lived in her lowly hovel for some days, tending her sheep and caring for her father as of old, when the duke’s messenger came to summon her again to the palace.

She went readily and greeted her former husband with all humility.  “I wish my marriage with my young bride to be magnificently celebrated,” said the duke.  “You, Griselda, know all my tastes, as well as the customs and the appurtenances of the palace.  It is my will that you take charge of the household matters for this wedding.  Arrange the rooms, order the banquet, and see that all things are done well and promptly.”

Griselda obeyed gladly.  Not one look of envy or jealousy did she give, not one impatient angry word did she speak, but managed the servants, arranged the rooms, and looked to the cooking so carefully that all the duke’s guests marvelled at the excellence of the preparations.  Many wondered who this poor woman in tattered clothing could be.