What does the word mistress mean in the 17th century?

In the 17th century, the Word "mistress" primarily referred to a woman who has control or authority, often in a domestic or social context. It could denote a woman in charge of a household or a female employer. Additionally, it was also used to describe a woman who is involved in a romantic or sexual relationship with a man who is not her husband. The term carried various connotations depending on the context, ranging from respect to illicit relationships.