17th Century England

Geography 18000 km of coastline = many harbors Island = isolated from Europe Lowland Britain is much more populated, wealthier and more powerful Warm climate and good agriculture

Society Britain has always been a “class” society (remember Feudalism?) People belong to a ‘class’ Upper classes lived comfortably (monarchs and other rich people) Middle classes worked hard to better themselves financially (merchants, landowners, military) Majority of the population were Lower class who worked long hours for very little pay (farmers, labourers)

Religion: Roman Catholicism The Church is hierarchical in structure and centered in Rome. The Church exists under the leadership of local archbishops, bishops and clergy. The Roman Pope, is considered to be the leader of the Church (the only one with direct access to God).

Religion: Protestantism Definition of a Protestant: any Christian not belonging to the Roman Catholic Church Protestants believed that the Church should be based on the word of God, which came from the Bible, not from Church officials, such as the Pope. Services should be plain and simple.

Religion View the following pictures: Which Church is Protestant? How can you tell?

This?

Or this?

Religion: Church of England England was Protestant, but there were different denominations The Church of England (Anglican Church) was headed by the king.

Religion: The Puritans Also Protestant, but disagreed with the elaborateness of the Church of England (= they were Calvinists) Calvinism (sometimes called the Reformed tradition, the Reformed faith, or Reformed theology) is a theological system and an approach to the Christian life that emphasizes the rule of God over all things.[1] It was developed by several theologians, but it bears the name of the French reformer John Calvin because of his prominent influence on it and because of his role in the confessional and ecclesiastical debates throughout the 16th century.[citation needed] Today, this term also refers to the doctrines and practices of the Reformed churches of which Calvin was an early leader. Less commonly, it can refer to the individual teaching of Calvin himself.[2] The system is best known for its doctrines of predestination and total depravity. Not this Calvin! This one! John Calvin: an influential French theologian and pastor

Religion: The Puritans Disapproved of drinking, dancing, sports, theatre… Many Puritans were persecuted for their beliefs some entered politics to try to make change Some left for the New World

Witches The Church accused and tried witches Mostly women – You would have been a suspect if you were older, a healer, lived alone or with a pet… Click picture for video

Witches Matthew Hopkins was a famous Witch hunter The accused would be ducked in water, with thumbs tied to their toes, until they drowned (oops… this meant they were innocent! How’s that for a fair trial!)

Parliament and Civil Rights Democracy = government controlled by the people who live under it In Britain-first step towards this was the Magna Carta signed in 1215 outlined individual freedoms and civil rights.

Parliament and Civil Rights Under Queen Elizabeth I (a Tudor), the British monarchy accepted the democratic traditions of the people (aka – she worked with parliament) Click picture for a video

Trouble with the Stuarts… After Elizabeth’s death, King James VI (a Stuart) came to power and he fought with parliament for control of the country Not this Stuart……….

Civil War British people eventually went to war against their King This created a civil war that would eventually lead Britain to a constitutional monarchy Constitutional Monarchy = a democratic country with a King or Queen