| Basic Concept: Puritanism
"Puritanism" refers to both a body of cultural values and a religious/political movement in the English seventeenth century that attempted to address perceived moral deterioration in English social life and the rising influence of Catholicism in the Church of England. It began as an attempt to "purify" the Church of England of corruption and Catholic influences, but later expanded into a full-fledged political insurrection against the monarchy. The Puritan revolt, led by Oliver Cromwell, overthrew King Charles I and beheaded him in a public execution in Whitehall on January 30, 1649. Cromwell replaced the English monarchy with a Puritan-led Commonwealth which rested control of the Church of England and sent Catholic sympathizers to the gallows. It was Puritan magistrates who supported continued colonization in New England and who controlled the land companies that sponsored the colonial development. Disillusioned with the inept leadership of Richard Cromwell, the floundering son of Oliver Cromwell, the English Parliament restored the monarchy in 1666 and recalled Charles II from exile in France. . Censorship under Puritan rule was severe and its consequences readily visible. Under Puritan influence and policies, English theaters were closed. Literary style rejected the alleged excesses of Elizabethan metaphysical poetry, calling for a restrained style, free of "wit" and devoted to high moral purpose. . Often perceived popularly as somber, dour, and colorless, Puritans, however, were joyful celebrants of their faith, and Puritan settlers in New England wore brightly colored clothes when they could get them. . Online Connections For a brief overview of English Puritanism, see "Puritanism." For a more extensive review, see this discussion by the same name, "Puritanism," which also contains a discussion of American Puritanism. . Our Course Connections Puritan settlers had a profound effect on the development of American thought and values reflected in their writings. As predictable, much was devoted to religious and theological discourse. (It was once reported that the Puritan lecturer and theologian Cotton Mather, consultant to the Salem witchcraft hearings, wrote some "444 books"!) They also kept extensive diaries and journals. A few in public office wrote whole histories of their colonial enterprises. Other writing was directed at education. Puritans printed chap books and primers, but the exercises of writing poetry and drama was looked upon with strong reservation. Even Michael Wigglesworth's popular poem, "The Day of Doom," begins with an apology, the author dedicating his excursion into a discredited form for the high purpose of spiritual education. .  |