1. 17th Century England

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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).

5. 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.

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

7. This?

8. Or this?

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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!)

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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……….

17. 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