Puritanism was a religious reform movement in the 16th and 17th centuries that aimed to purify the Church of England from perceived Roman Catholic elements. Disappointed with the limited reforms initiated by Queen Elizabeth I, Puritans sought to reshape England by emphasizing moral and religious devotion in all aspects of life.
Facing repression, some Puritans, known as Separatists, formed their own congregations, while others sought parliamentary support for reform. Puritan ideals also led to the establishment of colonies in America, most notably the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where they could freely practice their faith and create a society based on their religious principles.