Bertha

The betrothed of John of Leyden, but, being a vassal of Count Oberthal, she was unable to marry without her lord’s consent. When she went with her mother to ask permission of marriage, the count, struck with her beauty, determined to make her his mistress. She afterwards makes her escape from the castle, and, fancying that the “prophet” had caused the death of her lover, goes to Munster fully resolved to compass his death by setting fire to the palace. She is apprehended, and, being brought before the prophet-king, recognises her lover in him, saying, “I loved thee once, but now my love is turned to hate,” and stabs herself. (Meyerbeer’s opera, Le Prophète.)

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