The most vivid depiction of marriage of this time that I can think of comes from Katherine's monologue at the end of Taming of the Shrew. She talks about a woman's wifely duties towards her husband, who is a ruler over her just as is a king over his subjects: "thy lord, thy king, thy governor...The husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper," (5.2.151). Heywood keeps to this tradition, but he throws a loop into the proceedings: with Anne's "king" gone, a substitute has been nominated in his place. Anyone standing in for a king would have full political rights and responsibilities, so it does not seem such a stretch to assume that a temporary husband would have full marital rights.

The problem is that, rather than protecting his authority, as Whateley assures is necessary, Frankford turns his authority over to another man, thus creating the vehicle for the problem Heywood has constructed. By giving Wendoll legitimate authority, Frankford eliminates his own, as is evident by the lack of regard that Wendoll and Anne show by immediately taking to their bed upon Frankford's departure. Had Frankford taken his authority with him, rather than bestowing it on an undeserving friend, the adultery might have been prevented and certainly would have appeared less legitimate and more of a crime against Frankford, in the eyes of Whateley.