Puritans

1. A group of radical English Protestants that arose in the late sixteenth century and became a major force in England during the seventeenth century. Puritans wanted to “purify” the Church of England by eliminating traces of its origins in the Roman Catholic Church . In addition, they urged a strict moral code and placed a high value on hard work ( see work ethic ). After the execution of King Charles I in 1649, they controlled the new government, the Commonwealth . Oliver Cromwell , who became leader of the Commonwealth, is the best-known Puritan.

Notes

The words puritan and puritanical have come to suggest a zeal for keeping people from enjoying themselves.

Many Puritans, persecuted in their homeland, came to America in the 1620s and 1630s, settling colonies that eventually became Massachusetts . ( See Pilgrims and Plymouth Colony .)

Example Sentences

That complicates the “settler-colonial” paradigm, which applies readily to English Puritans but more ambiguously to Jews.

From Salon

Sometimes stereotyped as roots music Puritans, the Band often incorporated modern flair into their rock ‘n’ roll.

From Los Angeles Times

McQueen noted that other periods in American history — the Puritans arriving in New England, the Civil War and the post-9/11 era — have featured similarly dark and foreboding political language.

From Washington Post

When it was pointed out that Puritans executed Boston Quakers, Wilson said he would not “defend” the hanging of Quakers, but then argued it was important to understand the context of the time.

From Washington Post

This is a provocative thesis, and one that might upset Puritans.

From Salon