Brewer's: White Widow

The Duchess of Tyrconnel, wife of Richard Talbot, Lord-deputy of Ireland under James II., created Duke of Tyrconnel a little before the king's abdication. After the death of Talbot, a female, supposed to be his duchess, supported herself for a few days by her needle. She wore a white mask, and dressed in white. (Pennant: London, p. 147.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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