Chương 309: 3.i

Things that are obvious to many people often escape me. Those who are like me lack understanding and have dim insight, but I am even less capable than they. I, Dhouda, despite my weakness of mind, unworthy as I am among worthy women. I am still your mother, my son William, and it is to you that I now address the words of my handbook. From time to time children are fascinated by dice more than all the other games that they enjoy.

And sometimes women are absorbed in the examining of their faces in mirrors, in order then to cover their blemishes and be more beautiful, for the worldly intention of pleasing their husbands. I hope that you may bring the same care, burdened though you may be by the world's pressures, to reading this little book addressed to you by me. For my sake, attend to it (according to my jest) as children do to their dice or women to their mirrors. My great concern, my son William, is to offer you helpful words.

My burning, watchful heart especially desires that you may have in this little volume what I have longed to be written down for you, about how you were born. This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. I shall begin there. In the eleventh year of the imperial rule of our lord Louis, who then reigned. On the twenty ninth day of the second summer season. I was given in marriage at the palace of Aachen to my lord Bernard, your father, to be his legitimate wife.

It was still in that reign, in its thirteenth year on the twenty ninth day of debt season, that you were born into this world, my firstborn and much desired son. Afterward, as the wretchedness of this world grew and worsened in the midst of the many struggles and disruptions in the kingdom, that emperor followed the path common to all men. For in the twenty eighth year of his reign, he paid the debt of his earthly existence before his time.

In the year after his death, your brother was born on the twenty second of hay turn in the city of Uzes. As for you, I have heard that your father, Bernard, has given you as hostage to the lord king Charles. I hope that you acquit yourself of this worthy duty with perfect good will. - Introduction from Lady Dhouda's Liber Manualis