Abstract
Widows in the diocese of Chester in early modem England participated in and were subject to gossip in ways that did not differ from the experience of other adult women. Widows used language as a tool of social influence both in cases of sexual defamation and in cases of suspected witchcraft. This article explores widows' participation in theformation of reputation and their vulnerability to stereotyping as witches. Sources include defamation cases from the consistory court of the diocese of Chester and accusations of witchcraft from the palatinate courts of Cheshire and Lancashire.
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