Perchta´s tale was a sad one. This 15th-century noblewoman married (actually, was forced to marry) another member of a wealthy, noble family. Her husband, Jan von Lichtenstein, was a violent, brutal man, who lived with his equally reprehensible mother and sister, all of whom tormented Perchta constantly. Perchta wrote to her brother begging him to take her away from her misery, and even King Jiří z Poděbrad acted as mediator in the troubled marriage. Eventually, Perchta was able to return to her home and family. She would never smile again. She only saw Jan once more, as he lay dying. When Perchta refused to forgive Jan for the wrongs he had done to her, he placed a curse on her.