gossiphood

Relationship by baptismal rites; spiritual affinity or parentage; sponsorship.

XV. Where Challenge may be for affinity to the party or to bis kinſman , or alley of the party, and how it may be pleaded, and ſor Goſſiphood.

The gossiphood is the only guarantee of any connexion with the later märchen.

Gossip; idle talk.

[…] while my Lord Storford had already approved himself too staunch a knight, too honourable a gentleman, and too graceful a courtier, for much surprise to await the Lady Mildred's second choice, either in the prattling gossiphood of the shire of Gloucester, or the more solemn discussions of the antechambers of Westminster.

[…] for Dr. May had such a great inclination to scramble up the ladder after them, that she, thinking it a dangerous experiment for so helpless an arm, was obliged to assure him that it would create a sensation among the gossiphood of Stoneborough, if their physician were seen disporting himself on the top of the house.