If she stole, or destroyed property, or injured the person of another, if she committed any kind of a misdemeanor in the presence of her husband, and that also meant if he were in her neighborhood at the time, the law held him responsible.

He should have restrained her.
This was supposed to be a decided advantage to the woman.

Whenever a rebellious woman or group of women voiced their objection to the system which robbed them of every shred of independence they were always reminded that the system at the same time relieved them of every shred of responsibility, even, to an extent, of moral responsibility.

"So great a favorite," comments Blackstone, "is the female sex under the laws of England." You may well imagine that, in these circumstances, husbands were interested that their wives should be very good.

The law supported them by permitting "moderate correction." A married woman might be kept in what Blackstone calls "reasonable restraint" by her husband.