In 1600, it was ruled by the General Assembly that no minister should unite in matrimony any couple in which the male was under fourteen, and the female under twelve years of age. Yet deviation from this rule was not uncommon. When women had no rights and marriage was their only option, marriages were frequently celebrated of girls under the age of twelve.
Matrimonial alliances with England were discouraged. In 1639 an Overture was adopted by the General Assembly, "for restraining people from passing into England to marry," and Parliament was invoked to "appoint a pecunial (monetary) sum to be paid by the contraveners." No Scottish person might wed an English spouse without rebuke.
Matrimonial alliances with England were discouraged. In 1639 an Overture was adopted by the General Assembly, "for restraining people from passing into England to marry," and Parliament was invoked to "appoint a pecunial (monetary) sum to be paid by the contraveners." No Scottish person might wed an English spouse without rebuke.