Davies v. Gardiner In the Common Pleas, Trinity Term, 1593. Reported in Popham, 36

Chapter VIII. Interference with Advantageous Relations

An action upon the case for a slander was brought by Anne Davies against John Gardiner; That whereas there was a communication of a marriage to be had between the plaintiff and one Anthony Elcock, the defendant, to the intent to hinder the said marriage, said and published that there was a grocer in London that did get her with child, and that she had the child by the said grocer, whereby she lost her marriage. To which the defendant pleaded not guilty, and was found guilty at the assizes at Aylesbury, to the damage of 200 marks. And now it was alleged, in arrest of judgment, that this matter appeareth to be merely spiritual, and therefore not determinable at common law, but to be prosecuted in the spiritual court. But per Curiam the action lies here, for a woman not married cannot by intendment have so great advancement as by her marriage, whereby she is sure of maintenance for her life, or during her marriage, and dower and other benefits which the temporal law gives by reason of her marriage; and therefore by this slander she is greatly prejudiced in that which is to be her temporal advancement, for which it is reason to give her remedy by way of action at common law. As if a woman keep a victualling house, to which divers of great credit repair, whereby she hath her livelihood, and one will say to her guests, that as they respect their credits, they take care how they use such a house, for there the woman is known to be a bawd, whereby the guests avoid her house, to the loss of her husband, shall not she in this case have an action at common law for such a slander? It is clear that she will. So, if one saith that a woman is a common strumpet, and that it is a slander to them to come to her house, whereby she loseth the advantage which she was wont to have by her guests, she shall have her action for this at common law.

So here upon these collateral circumstances, whereby it may appear that she hath more prejudice than can be by calling of one harlot, and the like.

And judgment was given for the plaintiff.