Enquiries
Persecution
The issue of persecution is a difficult topic
to discuss; but is clear in the history of the
Mayflower. The 1600’s was a time of huge
transition for the Church of England and
those who did not conform were under great
pressure. There is much debate around this
pressure and exactly how much persecution
the separatists faced; what we know is
true is that they were unhappy enough to
leave their home in England and make long
journeys to unknown places. Did they leave
England solely to seek religious freedom or
was the economic gain offered by The New
World a factor? Did they find the religious
freedom they were looking for? Was this the
end of religious persecution is history?
We encourage you to explore and discuss
the theme; debate, investigate and enquire,
deciding what it means to your group.
Questions for Enquiry, Discussion and Debate
Why did the Pilgrims feel that they were
persecuted?
What were they unhappy about? What
was taking place at this time to them?
In what ways were they persecuted?
Is the UK more tolerant of different
religious beliefs now than it was in the
time of the Mayflower?
Does being persecuted make you more
tolerant of other people’s beliefs?
Why did they become known as Religious
Separatists?
Were the Pilgrims more tolerant of the
beliefs of the Wampanoag because they
had been persecuted themselves?
Why did they decide to leave England
and set sale to new lands?
How tolerant is our community of different
religious beliefs?
Resources and suggested places for research
• Information on Church and Religion: http://mayflowerhistory.com/religion
Easy to read information on aspects of Religion and the beliefs held by the Pilgrims
• Connection to the Separatists in Nottinghamshire and early meetings: Nottinghamshire trail resources.
Here you can read about where the Separatists held their early meetings and made plans to leave England for Holland.
• Background and role of William Bradford: http://images.classwell.com/pdf/olpresources/SHA03BAD.PDF
Worksheet outlining William Bradford of the Mayflower, Pilgrim settler in New England – much of his writing has informed us today of the
achievements of the Pilgrims
• ‘The Pilgrim Fathers of New England: A History’ By William Carlos Martyn (Google Books): http://tinyurl.com/pgu49sy
Page 26 – 27 discusses the Separatists and their encounters in England in the 1500’s
• First Conference Between Some Young Men Born in New England and some Ancient Men who Came out of Holland, by William Bradford
(manuscript, 1648): http://mayflowerhistory.com/s/FirstConference.pdf
This is a complex text as it is written in old English. But it does have much discussion between those Separatists who had travelled to Holland,
before travelling to America, and some who travelled directly from England to America. They discuss the differences in religion and what has
been seen.
Page 26 – 27 discusses the Separatists and their encounters in England in the 1500’s
• First Conference Between Some Young Men Born in New England and some Ancient Men who Came out of Holland, by William Bradford
(manuscript, 1648): http://mayflowerhistory.com/s/FirstConference.pdf
This is a complex text as it is written in old English. But it does have much discussion between those Separatists who had travelled to Holland,
before travelling to America, and some who travelled directly from England to America. They discuss the differences in religion and what has
been seen.