Dear Daughter

To my daughter—

It is my greatest desire and my fondest wish that you become a Queen whom monks and scholars praise, and whom your subjects love and admire. I also hope that through you the power and prestige of our family will endure.

You shall be an example to all of how the most righteous, humble, Christian noblewoman should act. After all, as Queen, all eyes will be on you. Be not haughty, but modest, and obedient to your husband and your equals. Humility is your greatest virtue. Always act piously, but do not flaunt it or others will believe that you think yourself above them. Remember what you have learned of Queen Balthild and strive to follow in her footsteps. Like her, you should pray daily and serve Christ even while in secular dress, give alms to the monasteries, and be friendly and loving to all. She demonstrated her faith and devotion by feeding and clothing the poor and encouraging all to increase their religious study. She also stamped out the sin of simony, a depraved practice which corrupted the church. Like her, you should strive to do away with unjust and sinful practices, to be generous, and to inspire others to be more devoted to God.

In making decisions, always practice temperance and prudence. Defer to your husband, his Majesty, but always remember that he needs you to help run the kingdom smoothly; you must do your part. Use your influence to petition the King for the church and aid to the poor. This will not only make you a pious ruler, but a successful one as well. Your charitable acts and kindness will soften any public discontent and ameliorate ill-will towards his policies and decrees, if they should be unpopular. The noble way you comport yourself, your humility, generosity, kindness and devoutness—these qualities will reflect well upon your husband and bring you both many allies and supporters.  

Do not forget that your responsibility as Queen is to ensure the survival of our line. Let not my faith in you be in vain! I do not wish to see my hard work in betrothing you to a powerful prince all go to waste. Ensure that your daughters marry well, and help your eldest son prepare for his succession to the throne. Teach and advise him as only a mother can. He must be well-versed in history and religion and embody the qualities of a just, pious King. Guarantee that his rise to the throne is swift and that no one opposes him or questions his authority. You must use your circle of connections wisely to form alliances and gather support so that your son does not have any competition. If many factions are fighting for power it will weaken the kingdom and cause it to dissolve into civil war. You must ensure that the kingdom is unified first under your husband’s rulership, and when he passes away, under your son’s. After his coronation, you must continue to advise him and guide him on how to rule the kingdom.

Dear daughter, use all that I have taught you to become a wise and powerful ruler.

Your mother