Puritan Network (more detail) Flashcards
What did the network consist of?
People with family and business connections, made up of merchant adventurers, gentry, lawyers, and lords. The ‘godly party.’
Where did the ‘godly party,’ meet?
They met at Colonial Ventures the Providence Island Company and Seybrooke Venture. Meetings for the Providence Island Company were held at Brooke’s house, the corner of Gray’s Inn Lane, and Warwick and Pym’s homes.
Why could Oxbridge and the Inns of Court not be vocal in opposition?
They relied on royal patronage and had too high a status. It was risky.
What was the trial for William Prynne, John Bastwick, and Henry Burton, 1637?
They were on trial at the Star Chamber for attacking bishops. In prison, Prynne made pamphlets such as ‘News from Ipswich’ and had his ears cut off and cheeks branded with ‘SL,’ (seditious libeller). Bastwick and Burton also were pilloried and mutilated. They were martyrs for anti-Laudians and Prynne claimed SL stood for ‘stigmata Laudis,’ (stigmata represented Christ’s wounds). The men were sent to distant prisons.
When was the Providence Island Company set up?
December 1630.
Where would it colonise?
West Indian Island of Providence, Jamaica, Venezuela Coast, Haiti, Central America, and even Spain.
Who were leading members?
Warwick, Saye, and Brooke, with John Pym the treasurer. Holland received free fair for procuring favours. Other high contributors were Sir Thomas Barrington, Benjamin Rudyard, and Nathaniel Rich.
What was anti-Spanish strategy in the Caribbean inspired by?
The actions of the Dutch West India Company established in 1621.
What failures did the company experience?
1635 - the plantation scheme failed.
1637 - sale of the company to the Dutch was suggested.
£120,000 invested had not been returned yet.
Spanish forces took the company in 1641.
In 1650 it was dissolved.
Documents of their activity have likely been destroyed.
Who were senior providence men in contact with?
The Covenanters shorter after they established, despite Charles spying since 1633.
What were goals of the Providence Island Company?
To show sophistication - Warwick even cooperated with ship money collection in Essex.
To reform religious/financial/foreign policy.
Less naivety towards Charles.
Use of Parliament to achieve reform.
