“Whereas divers persons unfit for marriage both in regard of their young
years and also in regard of their weake estate, some practising the
enveagling of men’s daughters and maids under guardines contrary to their
parents and guardians likeing, and of maid servants without leave and
liking of their masters.
“It is therefore enacted by the Court that if any shall make any motion
of marriage to any man’s daughter or mayde servant not having first
obtayned leave and consent of the parents or master so to doe, shall
be punished either by fine or corporal punishment or both, at the
discretion of the bench and according to the nature of the offence. It
is also enacted that if a motion of marriage be duly made to the master,
and through any sinister end or coveteous desire he will not consent
thereunto, then the cause to be made known unto the Magistrates and they
to set down such order therein as upon examination of the case shall
appear to be most equal on both parts.”