How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). We used the line numbering found on Librarius's online edition.
Quote #13
‘Thanne have I gete of yow maistrie,’ quod she, ‘Syn I may chese and governe as me lest?’ ‘Ye, certes, wyf,’ quod he, ‘I holde it best.’ (1241 – 1243)
By using the word "governe" to describe a woman’s control over her husband, the wife emphasizes the way in which a household is like a little kingdom. It seems to be very important to the lady that she get verbal acknowledgement of her husband’s cession of "maistrie;" she’s not satisfied he’s given it without his "ye, certes."