In
1648, all Papists and soldiers of fortune who had borne arms
against Parliament were ordered to depart from within twenty miles
of London and Westminster or be imprisoned as traitors. In 1657
convicted Papists and people marrying convicted Papists were
required to take an oath renouncing the pope and Catholic Church
or lose two-thirds of their lands and estate, retaining their
house on the remaining one-third. If one went to mass in an
ambassador's house, the fine was 100 pounds and imprisonment for
six months, one half going to the informer. In 1659 all
householders in London and Westminster had to give a list of
persons lodging in their house, and the horses and arms there. But
the laws against Catholics practicing their religion were not
rigorously enforced, nor were those against adherents of the
formerly established Church of England.
The Society of Friends was founded by the son of a weaver. They
greeted everyone as "friend" and did not bow, remove their hat (as
was the custom when before the king or an earl), or otherwise show
any reverence to anyone. From 1650, they were called Quakers
because they trembled when religiously stirred. They reverted to
the ancient "thou" and "thee" appellations. Their dress was
particularly simple, with no buttons, lace, ruffles, or
embroidery. They hated ritual so much that they rejected baptism
and communion. They did not observe the sabbath as a special day
different from other days.
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