matronage (age as ig)

[Eng. matron; 1. The quality or state of being a matron; matron hood. 2. Matrons collectively. "His exemplary queen at the head of the matronage of this land."-Burke: Regicide Peace , let. i. ma-tron-al, adj . [Eng. matron; -al.] Of or pertaining to a matron; becoming or suitable to a matron or elderly lady, or married woman; grave, motherly. "He had heard of the beauty and virtuous behavior of the queen of Naples, the widow of Ferdinando the younger, being then of matronal years of seven and twenty."-Bacon: Henry VII ., p. 218.