User:Yasotha Murugesan

Puritanism

Introduction
Puritanism was a religious movement that began in England in the 1500s and 1600s and spread to America. After Reformation some people were not satisfied with the settlements made in the church by Queen Elizabeth. They wanted to purify the church. They not only wanted to purify the rituals but also attacked the administrative machinery. They hated the rule of bishops.

Essential Characters of a Puritans
In everyday life they wanted practice austerity; Simplicity and Purity are the essential characters for a good man. An idea of equality before God arose. So, they organized separate congregations. The daily routine of a Puritan involved in Private Devotion, family Prayer and reading scriptures. They hated pleasure and joy of life. Puritans closed down all theatres. Players were found and they closed the places of amusement. Wrestling and dancing were banned. The sin of adultery was punished to death in the ordinary courts. So, Puritanism was not liked by many people.

Puritans Contribution to English Literature
John Milton was a pious puritan. He wrote Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained and Lucidas. They are all masterpieces in English Literature. The greatest work of this Period was Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan. It was an prose allegory.

Politics and Puritanism
When James became the King the puritans presented a petition. They requested the King through the petition to do away the rule of the Bishops. The petition was called the Millenary Petition. The King neglected Petition and the Puritans began to migrate to other countries. They were known as Pilgrim Fathers. When Charles came to the throne the parliament abolished episcopacy.

Conclusion
The King and god supports from private individuals. They were called Royalists. The supporters of parliament called Round heads. The civil war broke out. Army under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell Captured power. After the death of Charles I, Charles II was brought back to power. By this, Puritanic rule in England came to an end.