Christine expresses amazement at the opinion of some men who oppose educating their female relatives for fear of corrupting their morals. Rectitude replies knowledge improves one’s morals. She cites Quintus Hortensius, and Giovanni Andres, both famous lawyers, who educated their daughters well enough to practice and teach law. Rectitude states that less clever men hold the opposing view because they do not want women to know more than they do. She reminds Christine that her own father took great pleasure in her studies, and it was her mother who held the conventional view that she should spin instead. Rectitude says Christine rightly treasures this knowledge and Christine agrees.

Christine asks why men say so few women are chaste. Rectitude replies that the complete opposite is true and begins to cite examples from Holy Scripture. She tells the story of the virtuous Susanna, wife of Joachim, who was falsely accused by two men after she rejected their advance. God intervened so that the child prophet Daniel cried out the truth. Susanna was acquitted and the men punished.

Rectitude tells of Sarah, the beautiful wife of the patriarch Abraham. Sarah was abducted by Pharaoh but, because of her virtue, God punished him and his household with dreadful diseases and terrible visions. Pharoah was unable to touch Sarah and was forced to let her go.

Rectitude tells of Rebecca, the wife of Isaac. Rebecca was beautiful, humble, and modest. Her husband revered her and God gave her twins, Jacob and Esau, from whom all the tribes of Israel were descended.

Rectitude mentions Ruth, ancestor of the prophet David. She was extremely chaste, both in marriage and in widowhood. After her husband’s death, she showed her attachment to him by leaving her own people to live with the Jews and her mother-in-law. Rectitude notes that a whole book in the Bible was devoted to her life.

Rectitude tells of Penelope, virtuous wife of the prince Ulysses. While her husband was away for 20 years, partly presumed dead, she remained faithful to him. Christine notes that these women were chaste despite their beauty, contrary to the claims of some men. Rectitude replies that there always have been and will be women who are as spotless as they are beautiful.

Rectitude tells of Mariamme, daughter of King Aristobulus. Despite many great princes trying to seduce her, she resisted them and remained a faithful and honorable wife even though she was unhappily married to the cruel Herod Antipater.

Rectitude cites the virtuous Antonia, wife of Drusus Tiberius, brother of Emperor Nero. After her husband was poisoned by Nero, Antonia resolved to live as a chaste widow and never remarry. Boccaccio states she was especially deserving of praise for preserving her chastity while surrounded by the young men of the court. Rectitude laments that if such women were alive today, they would be attacked by envious tongues rather than praised. She mentions Valerius’s account of Sulpicia, who was considered the most chaste woman in Rome.

Christine expresses anger that “men claim that women want to be raped” (147). Rectitude replies that “moral” women think rape is the worst thing that could happen to them. She tells of Lucretia, the most virtuous of all Roman women, wife of Tarquinius Collatinus. After she was raped by Tarquin the Proud, she revealed this to her husband and family. Declaring that no future woman need “live in shame” because of what had been done to her, she killed herself in front of them (147). The ensuing outrage led the Romans to depose the king and make rape a crime punishable by death.

Rectitude tells of the noble queen of the Galatians, wife of King Ortiagon. After she and her husband were taken prisoner by the Romans, Roman general became infatuated with her and, when she refused him, raped her. When the ransom for their release arrived and the general was distracted weighing the gold, the queen picked up a knife, slit his throat, and killed him. She cut off his head and took it to her husband, explaining what had happened and how she had taken her revenge.

Rectitude tells of Hyppo, a Greek woman kidnapped by pirates who, seeing that she would be raped, threw herself overboard and drowned. During a raid on Rome, the wives of the Sicambrians barricaded themselves behind their carts and fought the Romans, preferring to die than be raped. The survivors begged to be allowed to serve in the temple of the Vestal Virgins; when denied, they all killed themselves. Virginia, a Roman maiden, thought it preferable to kill herself than to be raped by the Claudius. The daughters of a Lombard lord, fearing rape after their father was killed, tucked raw chicken meat between their breasts, and the resulting stench of rot repelled their attackers.

Christine asks if men are so unwavering that they are justified in accusing women of being unstable, fickle, and weak-minded. Rectitude replies that men are quick to “spot the mote in their neighbor’s eye but not the beam in their own” (151). She argues that men expect greater constancy from women than of themselves, excusing their own sins as human error. Rectitude describes Emperor Claudius as weak and so unstable that whatever he ordered one minute, he reversed the next. She mentions that Emperor Tiberius was also more guilty of inconstancy and immorality than any woman.

Rectitude discusses Emperor Nero who gave in to lechery, cruelty, and greed, roaming the town at night gratifying his obscene desires. He was complicit in the murder of his father and later had his own mother killed, ordering her body opened so he could see where he was conceived. He killed multiple wives, his stepson, and his teacher Seneca, his prefect, many noblemen, and destroyed the most notable families of Rome. He trained a man to eat human flesh, set Rome on fire and watched it burn for six days and nights singing with delight, and had Saints Peter and Paul beheaded. After 14 years of such atrocities, the Romans rebelled, and Nero took his own life.

Rectitude states that Nero’s successor, Galba, was almost as bad, being insatiably cruel and changeable. He reigned only six months. Galba’s successor, Otho, was a cheat and a traitor. He ended his own life after three months. Otho’s successor, Vitellius, was even worse. Rectitude notes that for every good emperor like Caesar, Octavian, Trajan, and Titus, there were 10 bad ones. She states that popes and other churchmen also displayed inconstancy after the time of Constantine. She argues that history shows men are far more perverse than women. She names a few wicked women from texts but contrasts them with a vast number of wicked men. She concludes men would do better to hold their tongues.

Rectitude tells the story of Gualtieri, marquis of Saluzzo, who married the peasant girl Griselda. To test Griselda’s constancy, Gualtieri told her their newborn daughter must be put to death and, later their son. Griselda agreed without complain and Gualtieri secretly had the children cared for. After 12 years, he told Griselda he was sending her away to take a new wife. She agreed, asking only for a slip to cover herself as she returned to her father’s poverty. Gualtieri brought his daughter to the palace, pretending she was his new bride, summoning Griselda in her ragged dress to prepare the palace for the wedding. Griselda praised the girl but begged Gualtieri to spare her the torments he inflicted on her. In turn, Gualtieri revealed the truth. Griselda fainted with joy, was reunited with her children, and was restored to her position more honored than ever.

Rectitude tells of Florence, Empress of Rome. While her husband was away, his brother tried to seduce her and then falsely accused her. Returning, the emperor ordered her killed, but the executioners took pity and let her escape. In exile, a similar thing happened again and she was cast out. The Virgin Mary revealed a healing herb to Florence and she became a famous healer. She used to the herb to cure her accusers, leading them to exonerate her, and was restored to her position.

Rectitude tells of Bernabo, a Genoese merchant who placed a bet on his wife’s chastity. The other man, Ambrose, failed to seduce the wife but gained information about her and stole objects, presenting these as proof to Bernabo, who paid the wager and ordered a servant to kill his wife. After the servant let her escape, the wife disguised herself as a man named Sagurat and became chief steward to the sultan of Babylon. Sagurat encountered Ambrose and arranged for the now-destitute Bernabo to be brought to the sultan’s court. In front of the sultan, Ambrose is forced to confess his deceit. Bernabo was distraught, believing his wife dead. Sagurat revealed her true identity to her husband, and they were joyfully reunited. The sultan had Ambrose executed and gave the lady Ambrose’s wealth.

Rectitude mentions Leaena, a Greek woman who bit off her tongue rather than betray her friends. Christine asks why so many worthy and educated women of the past did not write to contradict the slanders against their sex. Rectitude replies that there is a time and place for everything, and the task of constructing the city was reserved for Christine, not them. Christine predicts dissenters will argue that not all, or even most, women are virtuous. Rectitude refutes this, arguing that experience shows women are generally pious and good. She points out that there were no good men in Nineveh or Sodom, and even one of Christ’s 12 apostles was evil, so it is unreasonable to demand that all women be perfect. Rectitude concludes that men should look at themselves, quoting scripture that “he who is without sin should cast the first stone” (170).

Christine asks Rectitude about passionate love and the claim by men like Ovid that women are unfeeling, devious, and false in love. She notes these authors claim to write for the common good, to warn men about women’s wiles. Rectitude replies that, if they were truly for the common good, they would offer moral teachings to both sexes, as men can be as false and women. Rectitude says she will now give examples of women whose devotion in love endured until death, starting with Dido.

Rectitude recounts how Dido, Queen of Carthage, fell in love with Aeneas, who promised that he would marry her and love her forever. When Aeneas broke his word and abandoned her, Dido was so heartbroken that she killed herself.

Rectitude tells of Medea, daughter of the king of Colchis, who fell in love with the Greek hero Jason when Jason came to Colchis for the Golden Fleece. Medea taught him the charms and spells needed to succeed in his quest and, in return, Jason promised to marry her and love her forevermore. When Jason broke his word and left Medea for another woman, Medea fell into despair and never experienced joy again.

Rectitude recounts Ovid’s story of Pyramus and Thisbe, children of neighboring families in Babylon who fell in love. When their parents discovered their love, they locked Thisbe away. The lovers found a crack in the wall separating their houses and talked through it, making a secret pact to run away and meet at a fountain under a mulberry tree. Thisbe arrived first but was frightened by a lion and ran to hide, dropping her veil that was dirtied by the lion. Pyramus, finding the veil and convinced Thisbe had been killed, killed himself with his sword. Thisbe emerged from hiding, found him dying, and, seeing the veil, understood what had happened. In her terrible anguish, she killed herself with the same sword.

Rectitude tells of the young noblewoman Hero and her lover Leander. To keep their love a secret, Leander would swim the Hellespont at night guided by a burning torch in Hero’s window. One stormy winter night, Leander attempted the dangerous crossing despite the huge waves and was drowned. At daybreak, Hero, who had waited all night, saw the corpse of her beloved floating on the waves. Having no further interest in living, she threw herself into the sea and drowned with her arms wrapped around Leander’s body.

Rectitude tells of Ghismonda, the beautiful, widowed daughter of Tancredi, prince of Salerno. Her father refused to let her remarry. Not wishing to waste her youth, Ghismonda chose a young squire, Guiscardo, to be her lover. When Tancredi discovered this, he had Guiscardo arrested and confronted his daughter. Ghismonda bravely defended her actions, arguing that virtue, not blood, constitutes nobility and that her father was to blame for not letting her remarry. The prince had Guiscardo killed and his heart ripped out, sending it to Ghismonda in a golden cup. Ghismonda controlled her grief, kissed the heart, washed it with her tears, and delivered a moving lament to it. She then drank a poison from the cup with the heart before swallowing it. She died in her father’s arms and he soon died of grief.

Rectitude tells Boccaccio’s story of Lisabetta of Messina and her three avaricious brothers. Lisabetta fell in love with Lorenzo, a servant. Her brothers discovered the affair, killed Lorenzo, and buried him, telling Lisabetta he had been sent away on business. Distraught, Lisabetta went to the property, found his grave, dug up his body, and took his severed head. She placed the head in a large pot, planted basil on top, and watered it day and night with her tears. Her brothers noticed her constant weeping over the pot and stole it from her. Lisabetta fell ill and died of a broken heart. Rectitude mentions other faithful women: the dame de Fayel, the châtelaine de Vergi, Isolde, and Deianira. She concludes by warning sensible women to avoid passionate love, as it always ends tragically.

Rectitude mentions Juno, wife of Jupiter, who was dubbed the goddess of wealth and was worshipped for many years. She mentions Europa, after whom Jupiter named one-third of the world. She mentions Jocasta, Queen of Thebes, renowned for her terrible misfortune of accidentally marrying her own son. She mentions Medusa, famed for her supernatural beauty that transfixed any mortal who glanced at her. She mentions Helen, wife of Menelaus, renowned as the most stunning woman who ever lived, whose abduction caused the destruction of Troy. She mentions Polyxena, daughter of King Priam, the loveliest maiden in any historical account, who chose to be beheaded rather than be taken into slavery.

Christine notes the criticism leveled at women who dress elegantly, claiming they do so only to attract men. Rectitude replies that while obsessive fussiness is a failing, not all women who dress well do so to seduce men. Some people, both men and women, have a natural taste for pretty things and expensive clothes. She gives the example of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, who wore fine robes of silk and jewels because it was in his nature. Rectitude concludes it is wrong for any mortal to judge another’s appearance, as only God has that right.

Rectitude tells of Claudia, a Roman noblewoman who was obsessed with wearing lovely clothes. Because of her concern for her appearance, some people doubted her chastity. When a ship carrying a statue of the goddess Pessinus became stuck in the Tiber, Claudia prayed to Pessinus that her chastity be proven by allowing her to pull the ship into port. Trusting in her virtue, she tied her belt to the vessel and towed it easily to shore. Rectitude clarifies that the story demonstrates that, though Claudia was solicitous about her appearance, she was nonetheless chaste, and it was her belief in her own virtue that aided her.

Rectitude argues that decent and sensible men are more attracted to virtuous, honest, and modest women than to women who are merely glamorous or flirtatious. She cites Lucretia as an example. Her husband and other knights, including Tarquin, rode to their wives’ houses to see who was the most virtuous. They found Lucretia plainly dressed, busily working wool and conversing on moral subjects with her ladies. Tarquin was so impressed by her integrity, simple conduct, and modest bearing that he conceived a burning desire for her. When Lucretia refused him, he raped her.

Rectitude tells of the noble Blanche, Queen of France and mother of Saint Louis. The count of Champagne fell in love with her for her great wisdom, prudence, and kindness, although she was older. He adored her for the rest of his life, though with little hope of his passion being requited, and wrote beautiful poems in her praise. Christine interjects, saying she knows contemporary ladies who are more desired for their virtue in middle age than they were for their beauty when young. Christine now understands this contradicts the view that no decent woman will be propositioned against her will.

Christine asks Rectitude to address the claim that avarice is the most prevalent of all female vices. Rectitude replies that avarice is no more inherent in women than in men, and men’s avarice causes far greater evil in the world. She argues that women are unfairly called avaricious for storing household necessities or for complaining when their husbands squander money; she calls this prudence. Rectitude points to the almsgiving eagerly performed by women and Christine agrees. Rectitude tells of the ladies of Rome who, when the city’s funds were exhausted by war, freely donated all their jewelry to pay for troops.

Rectitude tells of the rich and honorable lady Busa from Apulia. Busa took in as many as 10,000 wounded soldiers from the battle of Cannae. Rectitude then tells of a contemporary woman, Marguerite de la Rivière who learned that a famous old knight, Amanieu de Pommiers, was imprisoned for a 500-franc debt. Declaring the kingdom should be ashamed, she paid his debt so he could be released.

Christine asks Rectitude if the ladies of France are worthy of inclusion in the city. Rectitude replies that there are many virtuous ladies she would be delighted to invite. She praises Isabeau of Bavaria, the reigning queen of France, for her kindness and benevolence. She praises the duchess of Berry, the duchess of Orleans, the duchess of Burgundy, the countess of Clermont, the duchess of Holland, the duchess of Bourbon, the countess of Saint-Pol, and Anne, daughter of the late count of La Marche and sister of the present duke, married to Louis of Bavaria, the queen’s brother. She states that there is an infinite number of other honorable countesses, baronesses, ladies, and women of every estate. Christine expresses her great pleasure at hearing this. Rectitude announces that her task in building and populating the city is now complete, and her sister Justice will come forward.

Christine addresses all noble princesses and women of every estate, inviting them to raise their heads and rejoice in their new city, which is now nearly complete. She gives thanks to God for helping her build an honorable and permanent dwelling for them. She expresses her hope of finishing the task with the help of Lady Justice and asks the ladies to pray for her.