BitsOfBrains Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 I am not sure if this is a real historical thing I don't know about or a fantasy construct or what, but what is this "Goodman" and "Goodwife" stuff? "Goodman Ironbelly" and "Goodwife Herra" and that lowborn guy who was a hero on the blackwater was "Goodman something or the other". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boarsbane Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 I am not sure if this is a real historical thing I don't know about or a fantasy construct or what, but what is this "Goodman" and "Goodwife" stuff? "Goodman Ironbelly" and "Goodwife Herra" and that lowborn guy who was a hero on the blackwater was "Goodman something or the other". Goodwife probably refers to Harra being one of the heads of the household servants, I think goodman in ironbelly's case was just a title of respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bright Blue Eyes Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 It's somebody adressing somebody else respectfully, without any noble, sacral, scholarly or artisan-ic title. A well-respected peasant/farmer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BitsOfBrains Posted March 1, 2014 Author Share Posted March 1, 2014 In some cases it seems to be a title, and in some cases it seems to be like an on the spot courtesy. Is it like a "ser" type thing where you earn the title "Goodwife Harra" or do you just start calling yourself that or what? I guess it doesn't really matter, I am just curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidrun Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 Historical construct from Medieval England. The best example I can think of off the top of my head is the ballad "Get Up and Bar the Door" where the wife and husband are referred to as Goodman and Goodwife. If anyone has read "The Crucible" and recalls all the wedded women referred to as "Goody Bates" or "Goody Smith". That is a holdover from Goodwife, a shortened form of it like Ma'am for Madame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lylor Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=goodwife&searchmode=none goodwife, a term of civility applied to a married woman in humble life; hence Goody Two-shoes, name of heroine in 1760s children's story who exulted upon acquiring a second shoe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Santa of House Claus Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 As I recall from how it is used in the books, not in historical references, they are basically the In-Laws, the parents of the spouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sapphire_lion Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 As I recall from how it is used in the books, not in historical references, they are basically the In-Laws, the parents of the spouse. That's what I always thought it meant too. Cersei referred to Kevan's father-in-law, Ser Harys, as his a good-father. And she referred to Margaery as her good-daughter once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Santa of House Claus Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 That's what I always thought it meant too. Cersei referred to Kevan's father-in-law, Ser Harys, as his a good-father. And she referred to Margaery as her good-daughter once. Thank you for the name drops, I was totally blanking on them. I think Kevan called Harys Swyft his good-brother also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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