Beginning around the middle of sixteenth century, a growing group of people became dissatisfied with the Church of England. They felt the church was corrupt, and didn’t follow the Bible closely. They believed in purity in the eyes of God. They were the Puritans. The Puritans interpreted every single part of the Bible literally. They believed in a direct covenant with God as the only means of salvation. When the Church of England saw opposition, it took direct, brutal action. For almost a century, Puritan

Puritan values were clear about status in society. Women’s status was at such a level, that even when Anne Hutchinson started sermon interpretation sessions, she was immediately looked down upon. When the ministers felt their authority was undermined, they proclaimed heresy. Puritan values were clear about status in religion. God was the highest step on the ladder; he spoke to the ministers, who then spread his message to the people. Anne Hutchinson was many steps below, she made food for those ministers, and they wiped their feet on her. Anne tried to spread her beliefs, she was honest, and confident in God’s mercy during her trial. Yet, Puritan values didn’t allow for any mercy. Much like the Church of England didn’t allow for any mercy on Puritans. Anne was imprisoned, and then banished with no possibility of return. Did the Puritans really think she was a heretic, and acted strictly by the Bible? Or did they simply want to punish her for wanting to be part of what they prized so deeply? John Winthrop certainly felt it was the just punishment of God when Anne and her family were killed by Indians in New York some years after her banishment.

Much like back in native England, the Massachusetts Bay was predominated by the male populace. Women were treated as servants; they were subject to complete control by th

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