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1569-1619

1569 Thomas Cartwright argues for a purified English Christianity

1571 Parliament approves Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion

1590 Thomas Cartwright and others arrested for trying to reform the church

1593 Execution of two separatists

1603 James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England

1604 King James I thwarts most Puritan reforms in their “Millenary Petition”

1608 Puritan separatists from town of Scrooby migrate to Netherlands to avoid persecution

1620-1639

1620 Scrooby separatists return to England and then sail for Virginia on the Mayflower; these Pilgrims settle outside Virginia’s boundaries

1629 Increasing pressure put on Puritans in England. New England Company reorganized as Massachusetts Bay Company

1630 The Arbella and sister ships sail for Massachusetts; Governor John Winthrop makes Boston seat of colony

1633 William Laud becomes Archbishop of Canterbury, fueling Great Migration of Puritans to New England

1635 Roger Williams banished from Bay Colony, founds Providence the following year

1636 Harvard College founded. Puritans from Massachusetts found Hartford, Connecticut

1637 Native Americans and Puritans battle in Pequot War. New Haven colony founded

1638 Anne Hutchinson banished

1640-1659

1640Bay Psalm Book published

1642 English Civil War begins; American Puritans side with Parliament against King Charles I

1643 Parliament establishes Westminster Assembly to reform the English church

1644 Rhode Island granted charter

1649 Cambridge Platform defines New England congregationalism; King Charles I beheaded; Commonwealth of England proclaimed; reforming forces reign

1650 Anne Bradstreet’s poetry published in England

1651 John Eliot founds village for praying Indians

1653 Puritan Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord Protector of England

1656 First Quakers in Massachusetts arrested and banished

1658 Oliver Cromwell’s death opens struggle for English supremacy

1660-1679

1660 American Puritan hopes for reform permanently dashed when Catholic Charles II crowned king of England; persecution of English Puritans resumed; many emigrate or return to New England

1661 Executions of Quakers in Massachusetts halted by Charles II

1662 Connecticut absorbs New Haven Colony.
Day of Doom, a best-selling verse jeremiad, calls for repentance. Half-Way Covenant eases requirements for church membership

1675 Wampanoags and Puritans battle in King Philip’s War

1677 Massachusetts incorporates Maine into its jurisdiction

1679 Reforming Synod calls for spiritual renewal and supports congregationalism

1680-1699

1684 Complaints against Bay magistrates lead to revoking of Massachusetts Charter; two years later, royal governor appointed for Dominion of New England (Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Plymouth, and Rhode Island)

1687 Solomon Stoddard advocates open Communion, liberalizing requirements to take Communion

1688 Glorious Revolution: Protestant William of Orange invades England, and Catholic James II flees

1689 Boston rebellion topples the Dominion government; Act of Toleration in England eases pressure on non-conforming Protestants

1691 William and Mary grant Massachusetts new charter, partly restoring popular basis of government

1692 Witchcraft trials at Salem Village

1699 “Brattle Street Manifesto” by a new congregation greatly eases membership requirements and marks appearance of liberal faction

1700-1734

1700 Harvard liberals force out Increase Mather as college president

1701 Yale University founded by orthodox Connecticut clergy

1702 Cotton Mather publishes Magnalia Christi Americana, a history of early New England

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