The journey of the Mayflower in 1620 is a cornerstone of American history, carrying a group of English families, later known as the Pilgrims, to the shores of North America. But Why Did The Pilgrims Leave England? Their departure was not a simple act of seeking adventure; it was a complex decision driven by deep religious convictions and the desire for a life free from persecution and worldly corruption. Understanding their motivations requires delving into the religious and social landscape of 17th-century England and the unwavering faith that propelled them across the Atlantic.
Religious Persecution and the Rise of Separatism
The primary reason why the Pilgrims left England was religious persecution. To understand this, we need to look at the religious climate of England in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Protestant Reformation, initiated by Martin Luther, had significantly altered the religious landscape of Europe. In England, King Henry VIII established the Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church, breaking away from the Catholic Church in Rome. However, for many, this reformation did not go far enough.
Within England, two main groups emerged with differing views on the Church of England: the Puritans and the Separatists. Puritans believed that the Church of England still retained too many Catholic rituals and practices. They aimed to “purify” the church from within, advocating for reforms to align it more closely with their Protestant ideals.
Alt text: Puritan preachers in 17th century England advocating for reforms within the Church of England.
The Separatists, on the other hand, believed that the Church of England was irredeemable. They felt it was too corrupt and too deeply rooted in Catholic traditions to be reformed. Therefore, they chose to separate entirely from the Church of England, forming their own independent congregations. The Pilgrims were Separatists.
This act of separation was considered a direct challenge to the authority of the English monarchy and the established religious order. The Church of England was not just a religious institution; it was deeply intertwined with the state. To dissent from the Church was seen as dissenting from the King. As William Bradford, a Pilgrim leader and governor of Plymouth Colony, wrote, their religion was “disgraced, the godly grieved, afflicted, persecuted, and many exiled.” Separatists faced significant persecution, including fines, imprisonment, and social ostracism for their refusal to conform to the Church of England.
Seeking Religious Freedom in a New World
Faced with relentless persecution, the Separatists initially sought refuge in the Netherlands, a country known for its religious tolerance. They settled in Leiden, where they lived for about a decade. However, life in Holland presented new challenges. While they enjoyed religious freedom, they faced economic hardship and struggled to maintain their English identity and traditions. They worried about the “corrupting worldliness” of Dutch society and the potential loss of their distinct cultural and religious values, especially for their children.
The allure of North America grew as a solution to these problems. They saw it as a place where they could not only practice their religion freely but also build a society based on their own religious principles, away from the perceived corruption of the Old World. The vast wilderness of North America offered the space to create a “pure church” as they envisioned it, a community governed by their faith and free from external interference.
This desire for religious freedom was paramount in their decision to leave both England and Holland and venture into the unknown. They were willing to face the immense dangers of the Atlantic crossing and the uncertainties of life in a new land for the sake of their spiritual convictions.
The Mayflower Voyage and the Mayflower Compact
The journey itself was fraught with peril. The Mayflower, a small and aging ship, embarked from Plymouth, England, in September 1620 with 102 passengers, a mix of Separatist families and “strangers” – individuals recruited for the journey by the Merchant Adventurers, who financed the expedition for commercial reasons.
The voyage was arduous, lasting eight weeks and marked by violent storms, seasickness, and disease. They were blown off course and landed at Cape Cod, far north of their intended destination in Virginia. This unexpected landing led to a crucial moment in the formation of their new community.
Before disembarking, the Pilgrim leaders recognized the need for order and governance, especially given the presence of “strangers” among them who were not bound by the same religious covenants. To address this, they drafted and signed the Mayflower Compact. This document was a groundbreaking agreement that established a “civil body politic” and bound the signatories to create and obey just and equal laws for the common good of the colony.
Alt text: Detail view of the Mayflower Compact manuscript highlighting the covenant to form a civil body politic.
The Mayflower Compact is a testament to the Pilgrims’ commitment to self-governance and the rule of law. It laid the foundation for a society based on cooperation and mutual responsibility, driven by their shared purpose and faith.
Establishing Plymouth and Enduring Hardships
Landing in November 1620, the Pilgrims faced a harsh winter with inadequate supplies. The initial months were devastating. Exposure, malnutrition, and disease took a heavy toll. By the spring of 1621, half of the Mayflower passengers and crew had perished.
Despite these immense hardships, the survivors persevered. They named their settlement Plymouth, after their departure port in England. They encountered the indigenous Wampanoag people, and their interactions were a mix of tension and cooperation. Crucially, they received assistance from Squanto, a Native American who had learned English and taught them essential survival skills, including how to cultivate maize.
In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims celebrated their first harvest with the Wampanoags, a moment that is often considered the basis for the Thanksgiving tradition. This event symbolized both their gratitude for survival and the complex relationships they were forging in their new home.
Conclusion: Faith, Freedom, and a New Beginning
Why did the Pilgrims leave England? The answer lies in their unwavering pursuit of religious freedom. Driven by their Separatist beliefs and facing persecution in England, they sought a place where they could worship according to their conscience and build a society based on their faith. While economic and social factors played a role, the primary impetus was religious.
Their journey was marked by immense challenges – persecution, exile, a perilous ocean voyage, and brutal conditions in a new land. Yet, their resilience, faith, and commitment to community enabled them to establish Plymouth Colony, a settlement that, while small, played a significant role in the early history of America. The Pilgrims’ story remains a powerful testament to the enduring human desire for freedom of conscience and the courage to seek a new beginning in the face of adversity. Their legacy continues to resonate in the American ideals of religious freedom and self-governance.
