The Puritans

By: Jenny Katlein

Background

• Dissatisfied in the Church of England- came to America

• Believed Bible (the New Testament) was the way to live, religious exclusiveness was their primary principle

• Stripped away traditional Christian ways in an attempt to purify themselves

• Mainly in New England• Were the first to write children's books

Beliefs

• 3 English traditions were banned: drama, religious music, and sexual poetry

- music was too “fun” and distracted from listening to God• Believed in predestination• Believed if you work hard, you’ll get to heaven• Demanded simplification and less control by

the English Church

Daily Life

• Most sports banned• Swearing was punished by paying a fine• If cussing continued, could be sent to jail• Most work banned on Sunday• Women caught working on Sunday were sent

to the stocks• Fasted for one day a month to keep mind

focused on religion• Free Schooling offered for the first time -first American college, Harvard was formed

Diet

• Under Cromwell, any food cooked to celebrate Christmas was taken up

• Fish (fresh or salted)• Meats (roasted)• cauliflower, carrots, peas• Wine or ale• Syllabub (a custard of cream and wine)• Sugared almonds• Chocolate from Mexico

Dress

• Women wore long dresses that covered from neck to toe

• Colorful dresses were banned, women wore black and white mostly

• Women wore their hair back and a headdress• Men had short hair• Men wore black clothes

Women

• Make-up was banned, Puritan soldiers would walk around and wipe off make-up

• Women were secondary to men• No women brought on first voyage to America• Could not vote• Could not hold authoritative positions• they weren't trusted to control their money• Were denied education

Bibliography• Kizer, Kay. "Puritans." University of Notre Dame. Web. 06 Mar.

2011. <http://www.nd.edu/~rbarger/www7/puritans.html>. • LaPlante, Eve. "So What Did the Puritans Eat? - The Boston

Globe." Boston.com. Web. 06 Mar. 2011. <http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2007/11/18/so_what_did_the_puritans_eat/>.

• "Life in England under Oliver Cromwell." History Learning Site. Web. 06 Mar. 2011. <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/cromwell_england.htm>.

• "THe Role Of Puritan Women Essay." Example Essays.com - Over 100,000 Essays, Term Papers and Book Reports! Web. 06 Mar. 2011. <http://www.exampleessays.com/viewpaper/98153.html>.