Sex before marriage was not taboo in the 16th century but a preliminary requisite to tying the knot, according to recently-restored old documents.

Records at the Notarial Archives show that sex before marriage was a common practice till the end of the 1500s.

“Society seemed to have been more permissive allowing intercourse prior to marriage,” historian Joan Abela, who set up the Notarial Archive Resources Council, said.

Although virginity was much hailed by the Church, a promise of marriage – similar to today’s engagement – was like a licence to sex.

“It was very important for the women that carnal relations be included in the betrothal contract because it made marriage even more possible,” Dr Abela said.

If during the betrothal period the couple did not have sex, then the contract was considered null and void. In some instances, some went ahead with the betrothal as a way to get a woman to bed and then never went on to marry.

“Inquisition documents throw light on instances where women found out that the men they were engaged to were previously married,” she said.

Complications arose when the couple broke up but would have had children during the engagement period.

Because of the complex issues arising from this laissez-faire attitude, the Catholic Church’s Council of Trent, between 1545 and 1563, had insisted that betrothed couples abstained from sexual intercourse until they had received ecclesiastical blessing for their union by means of a valid marriage.