Historian Philip Quenby investigates the ideas and motivations that brought the Pilgrim Fathers to the New World, setting them alongside King James' contrasting autocratic vision for church and state.
What special claim do these people have on our attention? The answer is: an idea, a book and an inheritance. The idea was freedom of conscience, the book was the Geneva Bible and the inheritance was the accumulation of English liberties bound up in all that Magna Carta has come to symbolise.
Remembering how and why the Pilgrim Fathers stood firm against overbearing state power is vital. By learning from the past, we can find hope, purpose and direction for our nation today.
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"Fascinating. A timely reminder of why the Pilgrims' story still matters so much for today."
Kevin Jessip
President of Global Strategic Alliance
Descendant of John Robinson, Pastor to the Mayflower Pilgrims
"Full of captivating details and compelling insights. Anyone who wants to know where we've come from and where we're going should read this book."
Dr Sue Rowe
Co-founder of Global Watch
Descendant of Mayflower passenger William Brewster