Puritans

Quick Facts: Who was Puritans?

Subject:

Puritans

Known for:

English Protestants seeking to purify the Church of England from perceived Catholic remnants.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Puritans were English Protestants of the reformed theology in the 16th and 17th centuries who sought to rid the Church of England of what they considered to be Roman Catholic practices, maintaining that the Church of England had not been fully reformed and should become more Protestant. Puritanism played a significant role in English and early American history, especially in the Protectorate in Great Britain, and the earlier European settlement of New England. Puritans were dissatisfied with the limited extent of the English Reformation and with the Church of England's toleration of certain practices associated with the Catholic Church. They formed and identified with various religious groups advocating greater purity of worship and doctrine, as well as personal and corporate piety. Puritans adopted a covenant theology, and in that sense they were Calvinists (as were many of their earlier opponents).

Career & Major Achievements

In church polity, Puritans were divided between supporters of episcopal, presbyterian, and congregational types. Some believed a uniform reform of the established church was called for to create a godly nation, while others advocated separation from, or the end of, any established state church entirely in favour of autonomous gathered churches. These Separatist and Independents became more prominent in the 1640s, when the supporters of a presbyterian polity in the Westminster Assembly were unable to forge a new English national church. By the late 1630s, Puritans were in alliance with the growing commercial world, with the parliamentary opposition to the royal prerogative, and with the Scottish Presbyterians with whom they had much in common. Consequently, they became a major political force in England and came to power as a result of the First English Civil War (1642–1646).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Almost all Puritan clergy left the Church of England after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 and the Act of Uniformity 1662. Many continued to practice their faith in nonconformist denominations, especially in Congregationalist and Presbyterian churches. The nature of the Puritan movement in England changed radically. In New England, it retained its character for a longer period. Puritanism was never a formally defined religious division within Protestantism, and the term Puritan itself was rarely used after the turn of the 18th century.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1642: 1642 Milestone — Consequently, they became a major political force in England and came to power as a result of the First English Civil War (1642–1646).
2. 1660: 1660 Milestone — Almost all Puritan clergy left the Church of England after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 and the Act of Uniformity 1662.

Notable Quotes by Puritans

“The term Puritan was first used by Thomas Fuller in his Church History, dating it to 1564.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Puritans

True or False: “Did Puritans universally agree on the structure of the reformed English church?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Puritans were divided between supporters of episcopal, presbyterian, and congregational types, leading to internal disagreements.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• André-Charles Boulle — Historical peer (Born in 1642) (1642): Preeminent French cabinetmaker, master of marquetry and 'Boulle work' inlay.
• Cardinal Richelieu — Historical peer (Died in 1642) (1642): Powerful French statesman who centralized royal authority and checked Habsburg power.
• Antoine Galland — Historical peer (Born in 1646) (1646): Pioneering French orientalist, renowned for translating One Thousand and One Nights.
• Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz — Historical peer (Born in 1646) (1646): German polymath credited with calculus, binary arithmetic, and foundational philosophical works.
• Daniel Defoe — Historical peer (Born in 1660) (1660): Pioneering English novelist, journalist, and merchant of the early 18th century.
• Diego Velázquez — Historical peer (Died in 1660) (1660): Master of the Spanish Baroque, celebrated for court portraiture and technical brilliance.
• Blaise Pascal — Historical peer (Died in 1662) (1662): French polymath renowned for contributions to mathematics, physics, and philosophy.
• Koxinga — Historical peer (Died in 1662) (1662): Southern Ming general who founded the Kingdom of Tungning in Taiwan.

Frequently Asked Questions about Puritans