by DragonBlue

Created on: November 17, 2010

In 1532 King Henry VIII declared the English Church independent of the Pope. The Pilgrim Separatists William Bradford used the "Geneva Bible" as did his brethren.  This was a translation (with commentary notes in the margin) made by English Calvinist refugees living in Switzerland.  The official English church strongly disagreed with the Geneva Bible's commentary. 

 Later in the 16th century, some Englishmen believed reforms were needed to "purify" the church.  Among the more radical of these "Puritans" were the Separatists, who formed congregations entirely apart from the English church.

One Separatist group centered in Scrooby at the home of William Brewster.  William Brewster 1566—1644 was postmaster and became Elder in the Separatist Church.  Brewster was joined by John Robinson, a Cambridge-educated minister who became the group's religious leader.

The English crown forbade separation from the church, and persecuted and imprisoned many.  In 1608 the Scrooby Group fled to Holland despite King James’ efforts to prevent their departure.  Having suffered religious persecution from Spain the Dutch were tolerant of others and their religious practices.  The Scrooby Group first moved to Amsterdam, then to Leiden in 1609, a university town, that was vibrant and cosmopolitan. 

William Brewster operated a printing press with John Reynolds who was a printer by trade.  Thomas Brewster was an educated and wealthy Separatist from Kent who provided financial backing for the Pilgrim Press.  Edward Winslow, a trained printer joined the Brewster’s Pilgrim Press in Leiden and journeyed to America on the Mayflower.  Between 1617 and 1619 Brewster’s Pilgrim Press printed and distributed controversial religious books.  These books were banned by English Law, having to be smuggled into England but were also intended for the international market and sold at the great book fair in Frankfort.  Two new books by David Calderwood were printed that were directly critical of King James I of England.  The English ambassador to Holland instigated a search for William Brewster and his printing press, and though William Brewster made it into hiding the printing type was seized at his home in Leiden.    

After 12 years of low wages, and the possibility of war between Holland and Spain the pilgrims decided to relocate to America.  It took 10 years to transfer most of the community to Plymouth.  Some, including pastor John Robinson, died before they could arrange passage.  

After buying a small ship, the Speedwell, in Holland, the Separatists embarked from Delftshaven on July 22, 1620.  Arriving at Southampton, England the Scrooby Group met up with the Mayflower, as it had been chartered by other English investors.  Other Separatists and additional colonists joined them.  The Speedwell leaked so badly that the pilgrims stopped in Dartmouth and then at Plymouth.  Finally, on September 16, 1620, the Mayflower set sail, alone, for America. 

These were the events that led to the exodus from Europe to America by the Pilgrims.

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