The Tudor period in Ireland, in the 16th century, was a time of conquest and colonialism as the English crown sought greater control over the island. Documentary history from this period indicates that English officials often blamed the women of Ireland for why Ireland was so hard to control and govern. The wives of 'rebel' Irish men were blamed for inciting and encouraging them to rebel, for seeking support from the continent and Scotland, attempting to raise troops, for getting directly involved in and influencing the course of diplomatic activities and for being generally opposed to English forms of civil government.
