The 1664 British takeover of Dutch New Amsterdam gives us a good understanding of the religious life in Puritan New England as compared to life back home now once again under Anglican rule.
The English had seen enough of the strict Congregationalist life when Oliver Cromwell died (1658), replacing his government with a exiled monarch, Charles II, off waiting in France to return.
So, that day in 1664, when a modest British fleet appeared off lower NY Bay, and announced that Dutch rule there was about to come to an end, they were told
It could be a lot worse R. Nichols, British Commander
When that British force turned a supposed Peace Mission into a threat of an attack that forced the Dutch to surrender New Amsterdam, the British Naval commander gave them a choice:
Surrender to us, representing the British Anglican govt, (the Church of England), or, (pointing to the New England citizenry forming on the borders),
to THEM, those Congregationalist religious fundamentalists whom I will turn lose in your open city if you do not capitulate. -
The Fall of New Amsterdam by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863-1930) (locals begging Stuyvesant not to open fire on the British ships)
Life will be much friendlier under OUR rule than under THEIRS were his words of advice
but what did he really mean? Let s take a quick look and look at what English life under Oliver Cromwell had been like, just 5 years earlier..
A look at life in England under the ultra-conservative Oliver Cromwell: Oliver Cromwell: (b.1599 - d.1658) His Roundheads were victorious in the Civil War - he ordered King Charles I executed - an end to the monarchy - created the Commonwealth of England - Conquered Ireland, Scotland, Wales, now: Great Britain - his title: Lord Protector of England" Ruled from 1653 to his death in 1658 by Samuel Cooper (1656)
Life in England under Cromwell
His Cruel Actions Against the Irish
His Death, Sept. 1658 England returns to a Monarchy
Life in England under Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell remains one of the most famous characters in history. From 1649 to 1653, Parliament ran England, but from Cromwell s point of view, it was inefficient, and England suffered. A Civil War took place, Cromwell and his armies won, and he dismantled Parliament, taking over control of the country.
The conquering of Ireland and an alliance with Scotland created the Commonwealth of England in place of the monarchy, a precursor to becoming Great Britain. He ordered the execution of Charles I, feeling him to be a potential source of trouble. His son, Charles II, fled to Scotland for refuge, and then lived in exile in France.
A Puritan, and a highly religious man, Cromwell believed that everyone should lead their lives according to what was written in the Bible. He felt that everyone should follow his example.this was the Congregationalist church of its day.
The Puritan belief: Work hard, and you will get to Heaven; Pointless enjoyment was frowned upon: Inns were shuttered Theaters were closed Most sports were banned; boys caught playing football on Sunday could be whipped as a punishment. Swearing was punished by a fine; repeat offenders sent to prison.
Sunday became a very special day; Most forms of work were banned. Women caught doing unnecessary work on the sabbath could be put in the stocks. Going for a Sunday walk, other than going to church, could lead to a fine.
Fast, not Feast: To keep the population s mind on religion, instead of having feast days to celebrate the saints (as was common in Medieval England), one day in every month was a fast day you did not eat all day.
Long before the fashion police of Iran: Cromwell believed that women and girls should dress in a proper manner. Make-up was banned. Puritan leaders and soldiers patrolled the streets to scrub off any make-up found on unsuspecting women who were felt to be overly made-up. Colorful dresses - banned. Puritan women wore long black dresses that covered them from neck to toes. Women wore a white apron, and hair was bunched up behind a white head-dress. Puritan men wore black clothes and short hair.
Cromwell banned celebrating Christmas. By the 1600 s, it had become a holiday of celebration and enjoyment especially after the problems caused by the civil war. Cromwell wanted it returned to a religious celebration where people thought about the birth of Jesus, rather than eating and drinking to excess.
In London, soldiers were ordered to go about the streets and take, by force if necessary, food being cooked for a Christmas celebration. The smell of a goose being cooked could bring trouble. Traditional Christmas decorations (ex: holly) were banned.
His Anti-Irish Actions: Cromwell had a hatred for the Irish Catholics. He believed that they were potential traitors, willing to help any Catholic nation that wanted to attack England. He made it his task to tame the Irish. He sent an army there, and despite promising to treat well those who surrendered to him, he slaughtered the people of Wexford and Drogheda who surrendered to his forces.
Using terror, he ordered many Irish male children to be sent to the West Indies to work as slave laborers in the sugar plantations. He knew many would die there but felt that they could then not grow into adults and have more children. him. The Irish nation suffered greatly under
Large numbers of Catholic Priests were executed. Over 90 % of Irish lands were confiscated and sold to Scottish or English settlers (giving rise to Scots-Irish and Anglo-Irish ).
By the end of his life, both Cromwell and his 11 major-generals who led his armies, had become hated people. The population was tired of having strict rules forced onto them.
He died in September 1658. His coffin was escorted by over 30,000 soldiers (probably to keep Londoners from attacking it in anger) as it was taken to Westminster Abbey where he was buried amongst English Royalty.
By the terms of his will, his son, Richard, took over leadership of the country. Not up to that task, he was (peaceably) removed in 1660. Charles II was asked to return from exile in France to become king of England. One of Charles first orders was that Cromwell s body should be removed from Westminster, and put on trial as a traitor and for the crime of regicide, (the killing of a king).
His remains were put on trial, found guilty, and symbolically hanged from a gallows at Tyburn (near Hyde Park, London).
Oliver Cromwell: (b.1599 - d.1658) by Samuel Cooper (1656)