ABSTRACT
The Draconian act of 1650 which imposed the death penalty on adulterers exempted women whose husbands had been missing for three years. The sympathetic attitude of the Commonwealth authorities to women who succumbed to extramarital intercourse after the long absence of their husbands has already been noted. One lover recalled ‘that he brought some corn to her house she being then in bed with her husband, she arose and went down to him but staying somewhat long her husband rose and went down and found them committing the act of adultery together’. Many had given way when they lost control of themselves through desire or drink; but bribery, violence and fear played a minor role. However, for the wife, desire, bribery and violence were the most common factors leading to her adulterous consent. Many wives became adulterous simply by continuing their pre-marital activity. Many wives were persuaded into adultery by the promise of a little material gain.
