The
Hystorica Calamitatum
and the Anglo-Sardonica translates "witten" as "enticing or goading to
excitement." Both texts indicates its use prior Middle
English. The
word resurfaces again in 1608, this time as "witta."
The
Witta MacThoys-- as they are oft wont to be called-- serve for resort
and refuge for masterles men and other idle and evill dispozed
persons, thence to perform upon them acts of cozenages, thefts and
other dishonest conversacions.
Use
of the word is lost for a time, perhaps another causality of the Puritan
reforms. It resurfaces again in 1723 as "wida' and finally in
1824 in its final form as Widow.
There
is also evidence to suggest that the women
referred to themselves as widows to increase
their freedom of movement. In many time
periods past, widows enjoyed greater
independence that other classes of women.
The
MacThoy women also had no qualms about
impersonating widows for monetary gain.
The biography of Madge
Diver tells such scams to collect seaman's
wages.
Widows
Continue
|
