The Puritans
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 ...

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