Was virginity valued above marriage?

Justin Martyr c. 100–c. 165 ADFirst Apology 15.6

And many men and women of sixty and seventy years, who were disciples of Christ from childhood, remain pure; and I boast that I could show such people in every race of mankind.

Lifelong virginity is already a mark of Christians about 155.

Clement of Alexandria c. 150–c. 215 ADStromata 3.9.66–67

Let no one think marriage according to reason a sin, unless he thinks bringing up children bitter (for to many childlessness is the most painful thing); and let him who finds the begetting of children bitter, because the necessary cares draw him away from divine things, not desire marriage if he cannot easily bear the single life.

Book 3 of the Stromata defends marriage against those who condemned it.

Augustine of Hippo 354–430 ADOn Holy Virginity 15.15

"Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife" (1 Corinthians 7:27) is a counsel, not a command; so it is allowed, but it is better not to do it. Then he adds at once: "But if you marry, you have not sinned."

Augustine wrote On the Good of Marriage at the same time, against Jovinian, who said virgins earned no more reward than married people.

Council of TrentSession 24, Canons on Matrimony Canon 10

If anyone says that the married state is to be preferred to the state of virginity or celibacy, and that it is not better and more blessed to remain in virginity or celibacy than to be joined in marriage: let him be anathema.

Trent's answer to the Reformation on this point (1563): marriage is honoured, but the celibate state, freely kept for the kingdom, is the better and more blessed one.