Puritan Period (1649-1660)

1. Puritans were a group of English speaking protestants who were dissatisfied with the religious reformation movement carried out during the reign of Elizabeth.
2. They demanded complete purification of Church of England and removal of hierarchical leadership, clerical vestments and the various rituals of the church associated with Rome.
3. Puritans emerged as a strong political force at the time of civil war. (1642-1651). Civil war was between Charles I (with his followers known as Cavaliers) and the Parliamentarians or the Roundheads (Roundherads were the middle class Puritans). In 1651, Parliamentarians defeated Charles I and executed him, his son Charles II fled to France. Commonwealth began (1653-59) under Oliver Cromwell.

Poetry

1. 1. Spenserian Poets
   2. Cavalier Poets
   3. Metaphysical Poets