Theodolinda

Theodolinda is Agilulf’s queen, a woman presented as beautiful, discreet, and virtuous whose confidence in the familiar signs of her husband’s nighttime visits leaves her vulnerable to a horsekeeper’s impersonation. In the story, she does not knowingly choose the groom: believing him to be Agilulf, she receives him in her bed, and the king later discovers the deception without telling her.

Identity and Position

Theodolinda is the widow of Autari, also a King of the Lombards, and becomes the wife of Agilulf, who has established his seat of kingship at Pavia. The narrator describes her as very fair, exceedingly discreet and virtuous, but ill-fortuned in a lover. That last description anticipates the story’s disturbance of her marriage: a man of low birth, though notably handsome and tall, becomes enamoured of her.

The Groom’s Deception

The horsekeeper keeps his desire secret, serving Theodolinda attentively whenever she rides and taking special pleasure in attending her palfrey. He studies how Agilulf approaches the queen’s chamber: at night, wrapped in a mantle, carrying a taper and a small wand, he knocks at the door without speaking. The groom copies these signs, obtains a similar cloak, taper, and wand, and washes himself beforehand so that the smell of the stables will not betray him.

When the household is asleep, he lights the taper, knocks on the chamber door, and passes inside without speaking. The bedchamber-woman takes the light, and the groom enters the bed where Theodolinda is sleeping. He imitates Agilulf’s silence and manner, then embraces and lies with her. Before the king’s arrival, he withdraws quietly and returns to his own bed, having made his escape without being recognized.

Discovery and Agilulf’s Silence

Agilulf comes to Theodolinda’s chamber soon afterward. She wonders that he has returned so quickly after taking pleasure with her beyond his usual measure, and warns him to consider his health. Her words reveal that she believes the earlier visitor was her husband. Agilulf understands that someone has used the likeness of his person and conduct to deceive her, but he does not disclose the truth to her or publicly challenge what has happened.

Instead, he answers as though he had been with her already and leaves the chamber. He reasons that exposing the deception would needlessly distress Theodolinda and could bring dishonour upon himself, while silence preserves her from shame. The account ends this episode with the king quietly setting out to discover the culprit; it does not give Theodolinda knowledge of the impersonation or describe her later response.