of the Wife of Bath’s Tale, the knight, having hitherto failed to answer the question of “what womman love moost,” decides to return home and accept his fate (ll. 985). At his lowest emotional point, with a “sorweful” heart, the knight encounters a deformed, old hag: “on the green he saw sitting a woman -- / A fouler wight ther may no man devyse” (ll. 986, 998-999). The knight asks the foul, old woman to teach him “what thyng it is that womman moost desire” (ll. 1008). In exchange for this knowledge, the knight pledges to “quite [hir] hire” by doing the “nexte thyng that [she] requere[s]” (ll. 1008, 1010). The knight returns to court and proclaims that “Wommen desiren to have sovereynetee” (ll. 1038). With this, the old hag demands that the knight honor his pledge and marry her. They are married but the knight is overcome with woe because “his wyf looked so foule” (ll. 1082).

This is ironic because the knight was able to save his life by telling the queen that women want sovereignty above all else. However, the knight made a deal with the hag that cost him his own sovereignty.

However, the hag is determined to resolve the situation. Noting her husband’s sorrow, the wife/hag asserts that she can “amende al this” and offers two choices: she can stay ugly and old and remain his “trewe, humble wyf” or become young and fair but surrounded by lovers (ll. 1106, 1221-1226). The knight surrenders sovereignty to his wife: “Cheseth youreself which may be moost pleasance… / For as yow liketh, it suffiseth me” (ll. 1232, 1235). Having achieved mastery over her husband, the wife transforms into a beautiful, young maiden and promises to obey “hym in every thyng” (ll. 1255). Thus, the knight gives his wife the sovereignty to choose her own appearance. When he does this, the knight practices grants sovereignty to his wife (remember, it is the thing that women want most) and, lucky for the knight, this move allows him to regain his own sovereignty.