Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more Politics, economics and the trial of a wealthy merchant Massachusetts Bay still hadn’t finalized its political and economic path, but in 1639 the trial of Robert Keayne for economic oppression helped it develop its answers to remaining questions.  Keayne had been accused of overcharging for nails, and ministers, magistrates Read more about Massachusetts Bay 14: Robert Keayne’s overpriced nails[…]

Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more   Court and synod Four days after New England ministers held a relatively successful synod to determine theological truths, the General Court decided to eliminate the Opinionist movement – however necessary.  It kicked out wavering or pro-Opinionist members, and then put John Wheelwright and Anne Hutchinson on trial for Read more about Massachusetts Bay 10: The Antinomian Controversy pt. 3[…]

  Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more   Controversy becomes crisis The Antinomian Controversy spread beyond Boston and grew more and more heated in 1637.  As it did, it took on similarities to problems at home.  Shady political maneuvering, private court cases, considering silencing preachers for dissenting opinions and passing the Alien Law.  By August, Read more about Massachusetts Bay 9: The Antinomian Controversy, pt. 2[…]

  Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more   The Free Grace Controversy In 1636, Henry Vane was elected governor.  Young, intellectual and charismatic, he was an exciting choice for the new colony, and his term started well.  He smoothed relations with the mariners who frequented the colony, as conflict over the looming Civil War put Read more about Massachusetts Bay 8: The Antinomian Controversy pt. 1[…]

  Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more   Laud’s investigation When Archbishop Laud investigated the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s activities, he quickly discovered its charter had been moved to America.  Alarmed by the quantity and type of people moving to New England, he moved quickly to take over.  A permanent commission was created, with final say Read more about Massachusetts Bay 6: The King’s Threat[…]

Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more   Internal dissent and external threats Massachusetts Bay was big enough and wealthy enough to avoid the bulk of the serious physical hardship which had characterized earlier settlements, but its size and political nature led to other concerns.  Gorges and the colony’s exiles worked against the Colony’s charter in Read more about Massachusetts Bay 5: Raising the stakes[…]

Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more   Years of building With things going well for Puritans in England, migration slowed significantly from 1631-32, and colonists were able to spend their time building the colony.  They constructed permanent residences, and a couple new towns, but also the much more complex process of building a commonwealth.  They Read more about Massachusetts Bay 4: Commonwealth[…]

Listen on: iTunes Subscribe on Android Stitcher and more   The first self-governing colony In 1630, 1500 Puritans sailed for New England.  Their charter had had a loophole allowing them to move the company to New England, making Massachusetts Bay the first colony completely governed from America (unbeknownst to the king).  With 4 months to prepare for winter, Read more about Massachusetts Bay 3: The Winthrop Fleet[…]