From the Author

Christine's Dedicatory Letter to a Collection of Documents in the Quarrel of the Rose, Asking for the Support of the Queen

Although I am very simple and ignorant among women, your humble chambermaid, subject to you, eager to serve you (if you consider me worthy), I am moved to send you the present letters. In these letters, my most awesome Lady, if you deign to honor me by listening to them, you can understand my diligence, desire, and wish to resist by true defenses, as far as my small power extends, some false opinions denigrating the honor and fair name of women, which many men—clerks and others—have striven to diminish by their writings. This is a thing not to be permitted, suffered, or supported. Although I am weak to lead the attack against such subtle masters, nonetheless my small wit has...