Wives of weavers spun for their husband's employers. Wives of the
gentry ran their households with their husbands. The lady of a
large mansion superintended the household, ordering and looking
after the servants, and seeing to the education of her children.
Mothers handed down their recipes to their daughters. Women still
did much needlework and embroidering for clothing and house, such
as cushions, screens, bed curtains, window curtains, hangings,
footstools, book covers, and small chests of drawers for
valuables. Liking simplicity, Puritan women did less of this work.
Naming one's wife as executor of one's will was the norm.
Jointures were negotiated at the betrothal of ladies. Widows of
manorial tenants were guaranteed by law one-third of family real
property, despite creditors. But most testators went beyond this
and gave a life interest in the farm or family house. So it was
customary for a widow to remain in occupation of the land until
her death or remarriage. Few widow or widowers lived with one of
their children. Widows usually had their husband's guild rights
and privileges conferred upon them, e.g. to receive apprentices.
In London, custom gave 1/3 of a deceased husband's estate to his
wife on his death, but 2/3 if there were no children. The other
part went according to his will. If a widows did not remarry in
memory of her husband, she was esteemed. But remarriage was common
because the life expectancy after birth was about 35 years.
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