[A1567/12/15]* [print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Item, our sovereign lord, with advice and consent of [James Stewart, earl of Moray], my lord regent, and three estates of this present parliament, has statute and ordained that the holy bond of marriage made by all estates and sorts of man and woman to be as lawful and as free as the law of God has permitted the same to be done, without exception of person or persons; and has declared and declares that seconds in degrees of consanguinity and affinity, and all degrees outwith the same contained in the word of the eternal God and that are not repugnant to the said word, might and may lawfully marry at all times since 8 March 1558 [1559], notwithstanding any law, statute or constitutions made in the contrary; and ratifies and approves all the said marriages done since the said day and the bairns procreated, or to be procreated, in such marriage to be as lawful, as well toward their succession to lands, heritages or any other liberties as any bairns procreated in marriage, and to be reputed and esteemed in all time to come lawfully procreated in lawful marriage, notwithstanding any laws, statutes, constitutions or acts made, or to be made, in the contrary.