Source
Source: Hans Sebald Beham. Woodcut (1st half of the 16th century). Reproduction: Directmedia Publishing GmbH, Berlin.
The need for relative age equality between husband and wife was addressed in the rapidly growing literature on the conditions of a happy marriage. It was thought that ignoring prescriptive literature would lead to marital strife and even abuse (at the hands of disgruntled husbands or even wives). The image below, a satire on age disparity, suggests that money was the motive for this unequal marriage.
Source: Hans Sebald Beham. Woodcut (1st half of the 16th century). Reproduction: Directmedia Publishing GmbH, Berlin.