Persecution in England
In 1650 George Fox was imprisoned for the first time. Over and over he was thrown in prison during the 1650s through the 1670s. Other Quakers followed him to prison as well. The charge was causing a disturbance; at other times it was blasphemy.
Two acts of Parliament made it particularly difficult for Friends. The first was the Quaker Act of 1662, which made it illegal to refuse to take the Oath of Allegiance to the King and country. As persons not pledging allegiance to the laws of the country, were not then allowed to hold any secret meetings. Because Friends believed it was wrong to take an oath, believing their religion was superior to their protectorate country, they were sure to run afoul of this law. The second act was the Conventicle Act of 1664, which reaffirmed that holding secret meetings by people who did not pledge allegiance to the country was a crime.
Despite these laws, the Friends continued to meet openly. They believed that by doing so, they were testifying to the strength of their convictions and were willing to be punished for doing what they believed was right.
Read more about this topic: History Of The Quakers
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