The Quakers, formally the Religious Society of Friends, arose in England in the middle of the seventeenth century around the preacher George Fox, who taught that every person can experience God directly through an inner light and without the need for ordained clergy. Their meetings for worship are held in silence, with members speaking when moved to do so. Early Quakers were persecuted for refusing to swear oaths, pay tithes or doff their hats to authority, and many were imprisoned. William Penn, a Quaker, founded Pennsylvania in 1681 as a haven for religious freedom. They have a long record of pacifism, opposition to slavery and humanitarian work, and in 1947 Quaker organisations received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Before and after
- 14 November 1650Birth of William III of England
- from 28 June 1651 to 30 June 1651Battle of Berestechko
- 3 September 1651Battle of Worcester
- from 1652 to 1654First Anglo-Dutch War
- 1652Origins of Quakers
- 1652Founding of Cape Town
- from 1652 to 1784Anglo-Dutch Wars
- from 1 June 1652 to 2 June 1652Battle of Batih
- 1653Founding of Lowell
More in Art, literature & culture
- from 31 October 1517 to 1 January 1648Protestant Reformation
- 31 October 1517Origins of Lutheranism
- 10 November 1517Origins of Protestantism
- 1563Construction of Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
- 1565Construction of Agra Fort
- from 17th century to 19th centuryAge of Enlightenment
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 17th century.