In Parliament, he
spoke out against the tyranny of the bishops, whose offices he
wanted abolished, and the elaborateness of church services.
To avoid persecution, many Puritans emigrated to Virginia and New
England. They were led by magistrates, country gentlemen,
prominent businessmen, attorneys, and other professionals. In
1629, the Massachusetts Bay Colony was chartered at the
instigation of John Winthrop as a Puritan refuge. Its leaders led
a migration of Puritans organized to include five each of
armorers, bakers, blacksmiths, carpenters, shoemakers, merchants;
three each of clothiers, chandlers, coopers, military officers,
physicians, and tailors; two each of fishermen, herdsmen, and
masons; on tanner, and one weaver. The fare was five pounds and an
applicant was interviewed to make sure he was a Puritan. He got 50
acres, or more for a larger family. But if he paid 50 pounds into
the common stock he received 200 acres of land, plus 50 more for
each dependent. Maryland was founded in 1632 as a haven for
Catholics, but its charter precluded a government-established
religion. It was granted to Lord Baltimore to hold in free socage
and was named after King James II's Queen, who was overtly
Catholic. Catholics in England could practice their religion only
in their homes and could not carry arms.
As hostility grew, censorship of books and plays accelerated and
the number of authorized printers was reduced in 1637 by decree of
the Star Chamber.
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