Dissenters

Generic term for all those who "dissented" from the consensus offered by the Anglican Church, i.e. members of Puritan groups such as Quakers, Presbyterians, Fifth Monarchy Men. Dissenters refused to take Anglican communion and to accept the dogmas and rituals laid down in the 39 Articles and the Book of Common Prayer.

During the Commonwealth Period, dissenters shaped politics and society. After the Restoration they were persecuted under the Clarendon Code. After the Glorious Revolution there was a trend towards a more latitudinarian approach and the tendency to forge the solidarity of all Protestants against the bad and dangerous Catholics. Thus, dissenters got limited toleration (indicated in the Toleration Act of 1689).