Bernarde was the daughter of Bertrande de Rols and Arnaud du Tilh, conceived in the period when Arnaud was impersonating Bertrande’s husband Martin Guerre. Although she was technically illegitimate (since she was born of unmarried parents), the court declared her legitimate and allowed her to inherit Arnaud’s property. This was because Bertrande claimed that she had been deceived by Arnaud; since Bertrande had thought Arnaud was her legal husband, the court decided, the product of their union was a legitimate heir. In this way, Davis argues, the court was lenient with Arnaud by providing for the future welfare of his daughter.