Document: Ordinance for the speedy solemnization of marriages and against cohabiting before marriage

Whereas the director general and councilors of N: Netherland not only are informed, but see and notice for themselves that some persons, after the third proclamation and publication of their banns or intentions of marriage, do not proceed further with the solemnization of their marriage [ as they ought, but postpone it from time to time, not only weeks, but some months, which is directly contrary to and in contravention of the good order and custom of our fatherland, wherein being willing to provide, in order to prevent the mischiefs and ] irregularities that will result from that.[i]

Therefore, the aforesaid director general and councilors ordain that all published persons, after three proclamations have been made and no lawful impediments occurred, shall cause their marriages to be solemnized within one month at most after the last proclamation, or within that time to appear and show proper cause for refusing; and this on pain of forfeiting ten guilders for the first week after the expiration of the aforesaid month, and for the succeeding weeks 20 guilders for each week, until they have made known their reasons for the refusal. Furthermore, no men or women shall be at liberty to begin keeping house as married persons before and until they are lawfully married, on pain of forfeiting one hundred guilders, more or less, as shall be appropriate to their situation; and all such persons may be fined anew for it every month by the officer, according to the order and custom of our fatherland. Thus done at the meeting, dated as above.