This is the King, Walter. The public want him to marry so they can have an heir to the throne
He marries the beautiful daughter of a poor man called Griselda on the condition that she accepts to always obey him
They get married and have a daughter.To test his wifes loyalty he has the child taken away and the wife does not object, following his orders
4 years passed and she had a son, Walter wanted to test her again and said she must give up her son. Again she takes the news patiently and accepts her husband's decision.
He then decides to put her to one final test,He tells Griselda of his intent to marry again. She accepts the news with a sad heart and says she will again abide by her husband's decision and returns to her fathers house.
She helps prepare a beautiful young girl who she does not recognise as her daughter for the wedding. But Walter cannot stand his cruelty any longer and confesses that their daughter and son and have been given loving care. He confesses that the cruel tests had been perfectly met by Griselda and that he could find no more patient and steadfast woman.