Now known as the Pilgrims, the departure of the Puritans from England was spurred by a confluence of religious, political, and social factors during the early 17th century. Emerging from the Protestant Reformation, which challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, the Puritans sought to purify the Church of England from residual Catholic practices. Their dissatisfaction stemmed from the sluggish pace of reformation within the Church, which retained many Catholic rituals and doctrines despite severing ties with Rome. Why the Pilgrims were Actually Able to Survive The Mayflower: England’s Doomsday Ship Queen Elizabeth I's cautious approach to religious reforms, balancing between Catholic and Protestant interests, provided limited space for the Puritans to express their reformist zeal. King James I's reign saw further tensions, as his clashes with the Puritans over issues like priestly vestments and Calvinist doctrine exacerbated their discontent. Read moreSection: VideosHistoryImportant EventsRead Later