How we cite our quotes: (Line Number)
Quote #1
Therwith he was, to speke as of linage,
The gentilleste y-born of Lumbardye. (71- 72)
If Walter is "the gentilleste y-born of Lumbardye," that means he comes from the highest-ranking noble family in the region. This entitles him to rule the land.
Quote #2
Chese yow a wyf in short tyme, atte leste,
Born of the gentilleste and of the meste
Of al this lond, so that it oghte seme
honour to God and yow, as we can deme. (130-133)
Medieval people believed that like should marry like. Therefore, a nobleman like Walter ought to marry an equally "gentil" woman. This policy had the added advantage of allowing powerful families to cement their power through beneficial alliances.
Quote #3
For God it woot, that children ofte been
Unlyk hir worthy eldres hem bifore;
Bountee comth al of God, nat of the streen
Of which they been engendred and y-bore. (155-158)
Walter's sentiments here are an exact echo of the loathly lady's in the "Wife of Bath's Tale." The irony there, of course, was that she addressed them to a nobleman who had already proven his lack of gentility. You might argue that Walter does the same in this tale due to his horrendous treatment of Grisilde, who proves to be more "gentil" than he is.