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The Mayflower Pilgrims: Sifting Fact from Fable
The voyage of the ‘Pilgrim Fathers’ from Plymouth, England, and their settlement in Plymouth, New England, is iconic. Unfortunately.
Why unfortunately? Because icons both simplify and glamorise. The Mayflower story is a gilded myth, a historical episode seen through the distorting lens of nationalism. Of all the accounts of New World colonisation in the 16th/17th centuries this is the one that has come to typify those qualities today’s US citizens admire and believe their nation stands for. And yet the 102 men, women and children who made that journey in the autumn of 1620 would not have recognised themselves in the heroes and heroines portrayed in films and romantic novels over the last century or so.
Derek Wilson strips away the over-painting from the icon in order to discover what motivated the Pilgrim ‘Fathers’ (a term not invented until 1840), and to explain them against the background of the age in which they lived. He does this by exploring a series of probing questions, each of which narrows the focus until the travellers on the storm-tossed Mayflower stand before us clearly delineated.
Why unfortunately? Because icons both simplify and glamorise. The Mayflower story is a gilded myth, a historical episode seen through the distorting lens of nationalism. Of all the accounts of New World colonisation in the 16th/17th centuries this is the one that has come to typify those qualities today’s US citizens admire and believe their nation stands for. And yet the 102 men, women and children who made that journey in the autumn of 1620 would not have recognised themselves in the heroes and heroines portrayed in films and romantic novels over the last century or so.
Derek Wilson strips away the over-painting from the icon in order to discover what motivated the Pilgrim ‘Fathers’ (a term not invented until 1840), and to explain them against the background of the age in which they lived. He does this by exploring a series of probing questions, each of which narrows the focus until the travellers on the storm-tossed Mayflower stand before us clearly delineated.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
256 pages, Hardcover
Published September 19, 2019
About the author
Derek Wilson
143 books101 followersDerek Wilson has been a writer of historical fiction and non-fiction for 50 years. His much acclaimed prize-winning works have largely centred on 16th and 17th century Europe. He has used various pen names for his fiction, his current Thomas Treviot Tudor crime series being written under the name D.K. Wilson. The first 2 books in this series - The First Horseman and The Traitor's Mark are based on real unsolved Tudor mysteries and have received enthusiastic plaudits. Readers have favourably compared this innovative series with the books of C.J. Sansom and S.J. Parris.
Recent non-fiction triumphs include The Plantagenets, Holbein: Portrait of an Unknown Man, and Charlemagne: a Biography.
Derek Wilson graduated from Cambridge and spent several years travelling and teaching in Africa before becoming a full-time writer and broadcaster in 1971. He has frequently written and appeared on radio and television and is popular as a public speaker having appeared at several literary festivals,British Museum, Hampton Court Palace, The British Library and other prestigious venues.
Recent non-fiction triumphs include The Plantagenets, Holbein: Portrait of an Unknown Man, and Charlemagne: a Biography.
Derek Wilson graduated from Cambridge and spent several years travelling and teaching in Africa before becoming a full-time writer and broadcaster in 1971. He has frequently written and appeared on radio and television and is popular as a public speaker having appeared at several literary festivals,British Museum, Hampton Court Palace, The British Library and other prestigious venues.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 9, 2020
I’m torn as how to review this book. I found the chronology of events and ideas culminating in the emigration of the Scrooby Separatists to the New World very interesting and informative. But as a Baptist who has come to look back at this period of history with respect for both the Separatists and the Puritans, the slightly disparaging tone taken about both throughout the book was irritating.
The author does a good job presenting the myriad voices that influenced the settling of America. Mostly the focus is on the ideological influences, but it also includes the economic and social ones as well, even if they are only touched on briefly. It is from a mostly secular viewpoint so doctrinal differences, whether between Catholics and Protestants or Anglicans and Baptist, are treated as only church polity struggles. Because the author draws greatly from secular, or official, sources the Puritans are viewed as troublesome, and the Separatists as little more than obnoxious zealots. It was very interesting learning how they were viewed in their own society and times. I just wish that it had included a bit more from their perspective as well.
I received this as a free ARC through NetGalley and SPCK Publishing. No favorable review was required. It was my pleasure to provide an honest review.
The author does a good job presenting the myriad voices that influenced the settling of America. Mostly the focus is on the ideological influences, but it also includes the economic and social ones as well, even if they are only touched on briefly. It is from a mostly secular viewpoint so doctrinal differences, whether between Catholics and Protestants or Anglicans and Baptist, are treated as only church polity struggles. Because the author draws greatly from secular, or official, sources the Puritans are viewed as troublesome, and the Separatists as little more than obnoxious zealots. It was very interesting learning how they were viewed in their own society and times. I just wish that it had included a bit more from their perspective as well.
I received this as a free ARC through NetGalley and SPCK Publishing. No favorable review was required. It was my pleasure to provide an honest review.
November 26, 2019
Summary: A historical account of the movements and political developments that shaped the composition of the 102 who made the voyage on the Mayflower.
There is a kind of mythology that has developed around the passengers on the Mayflower who settled in Plymouth, ostensibly on a quest for religious freedom. Derek Wilson, in this new book, traces the separatist movements and the political conditions that shaped them in the century before this voyage. What emerges is a far more complex account than is often given of a persecuted minority who were paragons of Christian virtue seeking religious freedom. It wasn't quite that simple.
The broad strokes of this narrative go back to Henry VIII and the formation of the Church of England, and the succeeding reigns down to James I. One one side there is the Catholic reaction, and brief ascendancy during the reign of Queen Mary I. On the other, and especially during the reign of Elizabeth I onward, there was the pressure from the separatists who did not believe the church went far enough.
Wilson traces these reigns and movements in both moderate and more radical forms down to the time of the Mayflower Pilgrims, thirty-seven of which were from a particularly vigorous separatist group, many having taken shelter in Leiden in the Netherlands. The remainder of the 102 consisted of everything from indentured servants, some of which were children, to others simply seeking a new start in the New World and economic opportunity. Needless to say, they did not all share the vision of a new Christian commonwealth, free from interference from the crown.
The striking thing about this book is that only about the last sixty pages are about the group of people from which the Mayflower passengers were drawn. The rest chronicles the separatist movements in England and on the continent that preceded them. It shows the Pilgrims as part of a larger movement seeking an idealized form of Christianity. It also shows the folly of this vision, including the compromises the planners of the voyage made, and the reality that they ended up replicating the very wrongs, including intolerance, from which they fled. The wonder is that it all survived.
Wilson tries to cover all these movements in parallel, interwoven accounts. He admits that "[t]his may make for a rather 'jerky' narrative," which I felt to be the case. It felt like an incessant flow of names, places, dates, and events that jumped back and forth chronologically, and it was difficult to trace how it was connected. The book ends with the voyage and we don't learn anything new about the Plymouth settlers after they arrive.
If you are looking for a work that traces the historical antecedents of the Plymouth settlers, this offers plenty of material. However, the title and even the cover image may be deceiving. We learn relatively little about the pilgrims, and nothing of their efforts and challenges in the New World.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
There is a kind of mythology that has developed around the passengers on the Mayflower who settled in Plymouth, ostensibly on a quest for religious freedom. Derek Wilson, in this new book, traces the separatist movements and the political conditions that shaped them in the century before this voyage. What emerges is a far more complex account than is often given of a persecuted minority who were paragons of Christian virtue seeking religious freedom. It wasn't quite that simple.
The broad strokes of this narrative go back to Henry VIII and the formation of the Church of England, and the succeeding reigns down to James I. One one side there is the Catholic reaction, and brief ascendancy during the reign of Queen Mary I. On the other, and especially during the reign of Elizabeth I onward, there was the pressure from the separatists who did not believe the church went far enough.
Wilson traces these reigns and movements in both moderate and more radical forms down to the time of the Mayflower Pilgrims, thirty-seven of which were from a particularly vigorous separatist group, many having taken shelter in Leiden in the Netherlands. The remainder of the 102 consisted of everything from indentured servants, some of which were children, to others simply seeking a new start in the New World and economic opportunity. Needless to say, they did not all share the vision of a new Christian commonwealth, free from interference from the crown.
The striking thing about this book is that only about the last sixty pages are about the group of people from which the Mayflower passengers were drawn. The rest chronicles the separatist movements in England and on the continent that preceded them. It shows the Pilgrims as part of a larger movement seeking an idealized form of Christianity. It also shows the folly of this vision, including the compromises the planners of the voyage made, and the reality that they ended up replicating the very wrongs, including intolerance, from which they fled. The wonder is that it all survived.
Wilson tries to cover all these movements in parallel, interwoven accounts. He admits that "[t]his may make for a rather 'jerky' narrative," which I felt to be the case. It felt like an incessant flow of names, places, dates, and events that jumped back and forth chronologically, and it was difficult to trace how it was connected. The book ends with the voyage and we don't learn anything new about the Plymouth settlers after they arrive.
If you are looking for a work that traces the historical antecedents of the Plymouth settlers, this offers plenty of material. However, the title and even the cover image may be deceiving. We learn relatively little about the pilgrims, and nothing of their efforts and challenges in the New World.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
March 5, 2020
First sentence: Is there such a thing as a Christian country? If so, what would it look like?
I'll be honest I was shocked when I saw that this one was 256 pages. Why? It felt like it was twice that long! Perhaps because the chapters tended to be on the longer side.
This one is all about putting the Mayflower Pilgrims into context, a specific time and place. The story of the Mayflower Pilgrims does not begin at the dawn of the seventeenth century--far from it. At least the way Derek Wilson tells it. He grounds HIS story into the English Reformation--the split from Roman Catholicism. This alone places us a hundred years back. But even that isn't quite far enough, deep enough. For Martin Luther was not the first nor the only to become disgruntled with the status quo and begin asking questions. Before Luther there was Wycliffe and his Lollards--just to name one. No, this story tells the history of religious (and to some extent religious and political dissent) in England (it only touches on Europe in bits and pieces here and there.)
Primarily it focuses on the years 1520 to 1620. (As I mentioned above, it goes a bit further back here and there as context demands.) It is important for readers to understand from page one that this story ends BEFORE a single pilgrim steps aboard the Mayflower. If you go into the book thinking that it will end with the Pilgrims arriving in America, or dare I say the Pilgrims celebrating the first year or two of survival--celebrating with a feast. You'll be mighty disappointed.
From the introduction, "If we really want to discover, as best we can, who the 1620 pioneers were, we need to probe their past, their heritage and their response to that heritage. And we also need some understanding of their context in the world they grew up in, the convictions they embraced, the assumptions they rejected and the changes with which they attempted–not always successfully–to cope. That is why the following narrative does not begin with the 180-ton Mayflower, after a series of false starts, clearing Plymouth harbour. Rather, it ends there. The huddle of religious separatists on the ship’s deck, watching their past disappear over the eastern horizon, believed they knew what a Christian commonwealth would be like and that, far from the satanic influences of the Old World, they could, under God, create it. We know that they were wrong. The communities they planted replicated the vices and the virtues of the ones they had left. The seeds of corruption lay within themselves. The perfect human society is a chimera. But we would do well to guard against cynical superiority."
This story touches on just about everything--royalty, politics, church politics, war, navigation and exploration, literature, philosophy, science, theology, and BUSINESS. (To name just a few sub-topics).
It explores essentially one question WHY. Why would anyone--man, woman, boy, or girl--set off into the unknown, risking their life??? The voyage across would be dangerous. But after that voyage, then what?!?! Talk about true unknowns and great uncertainty. There is no simple single answer to the WHY question. The answers would be varied and much more complex than we can imagine.
There were a few chapters that I just loved, loved, loved. I found them insightful and interesting. Other chapters I found overwhelming--it seemed the narrative was flying way over my head...and as a result, I found the reading dull. But not every chapter was like that. There were some truly great moments. And I think readers may have to work at staying engaged with the text.
One of my favorite chapters was on the first Bible translations in English. It was fascinating.
I'll be honest I was shocked when I saw that this one was 256 pages. Why? It felt like it was twice that long! Perhaps because the chapters tended to be on the longer side.
This one is all about putting the Mayflower Pilgrims into context, a specific time and place. The story of the Mayflower Pilgrims does not begin at the dawn of the seventeenth century--far from it. At least the way Derek Wilson tells it. He grounds HIS story into the English Reformation--the split from Roman Catholicism. This alone places us a hundred years back. But even that isn't quite far enough, deep enough. For Martin Luther was not the first nor the only to become disgruntled with the status quo and begin asking questions. Before Luther there was Wycliffe and his Lollards--just to name one. No, this story tells the history of religious (and to some extent religious and political dissent) in England (it only touches on Europe in bits and pieces here and there.)
Primarily it focuses on the years 1520 to 1620. (As I mentioned above, it goes a bit further back here and there as context demands.) It is important for readers to understand from page one that this story ends BEFORE a single pilgrim steps aboard the Mayflower. If you go into the book thinking that it will end with the Pilgrims arriving in America, or dare I say the Pilgrims celebrating the first year or two of survival--celebrating with a feast. You'll be mighty disappointed.
From the introduction, "If we really want to discover, as best we can, who the 1620 pioneers were, we need to probe their past, their heritage and their response to that heritage. And we also need some understanding of their context in the world they grew up in, the convictions they embraced, the assumptions they rejected and the changes with which they attempted–not always successfully–to cope. That is why the following narrative does not begin with the 180-ton Mayflower, after a series of false starts, clearing Plymouth harbour. Rather, it ends there. The huddle of religious separatists on the ship’s deck, watching their past disappear over the eastern horizon, believed they knew what a Christian commonwealth would be like and that, far from the satanic influences of the Old World, they could, under God, create it. We know that they were wrong. The communities they planted replicated the vices and the virtues of the ones they had left. The seeds of corruption lay within themselves. The perfect human society is a chimera. But we would do well to guard against cynical superiority."
This story touches on just about everything--royalty, politics, church politics, war, navigation and exploration, literature, philosophy, science, theology, and BUSINESS. (To name just a few sub-topics).
It explores essentially one question WHY. Why would anyone--man, woman, boy, or girl--set off into the unknown, risking their life??? The voyage across would be dangerous. But after that voyage, then what?!?! Talk about true unknowns and great uncertainty. There is no simple single answer to the WHY question. The answers would be varied and much more complex than we can imagine.
There were a few chapters that I just loved, loved, loved. I found them insightful and interesting. Other chapters I found overwhelming--it seemed the narrative was flying way over my head...and as a result, I found the reading dull. But not every chapter was like that. There were some truly great moments. And I think readers may have to work at staying engaged with the text.
One of my favorite chapters was on the first Bible translations in English. It was fascinating.
February 15, 2024
This is a must-read for anyone desirous of gaining an increased appreciation for the ecclesiastical-political climate that ultimately led to the founding of the United States of America. It zeroes in the portion of European church history at and following the Reformation. Unlike many texts, which aim to trace a particular thread of doctrinal development, this one focuses on painting a picture of the relative chaos of the time -- something many of us may have been aware of in theory but which most of us haven't given much thought to.
Although much of the author's goal seems to be showing that the Mayflower pilgrims were not the pinnacles of morality they're often portrayed as, he's even-handed overall. I would guess he belongs to the Church of England, as there does seem to be some slight bias toward that institution (and unwitting minor straw man-building in isolated paragraphs), but it's clear that he's done his best to remain objective.
It was eye-opening for me in two respects: with regard to both church and state. With regard to the church, Wilson brought into striking focus how new (or newly-regained) certain practices are that we take for granted -- such as preaching. We hear a lot of talk today about the longstanding consensus of the church on certain issues, and yet it seems there was only broad consensus on most matters as long as the church operated much like a dictatorship and kept the Word of God from the people. When the Word was reintroduced, disagreement with the established church's interpretation of it was immediate. The only method effective for completely removing objection is tyrannical, contra-biblical control. Disagreement about the proper interpretation of Scripture seems inevitable; how we handle that disagreement is, perhaps, what matters most. (At the time, the solutions offered seemed to be imprisonment, banishment, or execution. As you can probably imagine, I don't consider these the best ways of handling disagreement.)
With regard to the state, this sheds considerable light on thought process of the Constitution's framers. What did they mean when they talked about the "free exercise of religion"? What was on their minds when they wrote the Bill of Rights? What did Thomas Jefferson really mean when he spoke of the "separation of church and state" (which, by the way, is not in any of our official documents)? We tend to view these anachronistically. Reading through The Mayflower Pilgrims, however, you can clearly imagine what they were thinking when they began to draw up documents for this new government, because we're seeing the issues they were hoping to avoid replicating here.
This is not a difficult read, and it's an excellent addition to any church history and/or American history library.
Although much of the author's goal seems to be showing that the Mayflower pilgrims were not the pinnacles of morality they're often portrayed as, he's even-handed overall. I would guess he belongs to the Church of England, as there does seem to be some slight bias toward that institution (and unwitting minor straw man-building in isolated paragraphs), but it's clear that he's done his best to remain objective.
It was eye-opening for me in two respects: with regard to both church and state. With regard to the church, Wilson brought into striking focus how new (or newly-regained) certain practices are that we take for granted -- such as preaching. We hear a lot of talk today about the longstanding consensus of the church on certain issues, and yet it seems there was only broad consensus on most matters as long as the church operated much like a dictatorship and kept the Word of God from the people. When the Word was reintroduced, disagreement with the established church's interpretation of it was immediate. The only method effective for completely removing objection is tyrannical, contra-biblical control. Disagreement about the proper interpretation of Scripture seems inevitable; how we handle that disagreement is, perhaps, what matters most. (At the time, the solutions offered seemed to be imprisonment, banishment, or execution. As you can probably imagine, I don't consider these the best ways of handling disagreement.)
With regard to the state, this sheds considerable light on thought process of the Constitution's framers. What did they mean when they talked about the "free exercise of religion"? What was on their minds when they wrote the Bill of Rights? What did Thomas Jefferson really mean when he spoke of the "separation of church and state" (which, by the way, is not in any of our official documents)? We tend to view these anachronistically. Reading through The Mayflower Pilgrims, however, you can clearly imagine what they were thinking when they began to draw up documents for this new government, because we're seeing the issues they were hoping to avoid replicating here.
This is not a difficult read, and it's an excellent addition to any church history and/or American history library.
October 13, 2021
The Mayflower Pilgrims is a historical representation of why the Pilgrim Fathers left England their homeland to America to settle. The Pilgrim Fathers felt that England was no longer their strong Christian country and headed out on the Mayflower to create their own Christian Society. They escaped from England during the times of war of religion and politics during Henry VIII times, Martin Luther, Lollards, Thomas Cramer the Reformation, 30 year war, and the Renaissance. It’s a great historical Christian and Religion and Spirituality book, certainly able to learn and understanding on why there was the Gunpowder Plot and other plots and religion turmoils that occurred during Timeline. This is a historical timeline that I do enjoy and recommend Theology students to read for their assignments so they can have a better understanding of this era.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from SPCK Publishing via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.
#TheMayflowerPilgrims #NetGalley
Review run date was set for 22 Sep 2020 for Netgalley, unfortunately life stood at a standstill as I finished the final semester and three subjects of my studies. On 28 March 2021 I was set to write the review and my health became an emotional roller coaster so here I am today 13 October 2021 going to write my review will be post on my linked WordPress blog, Facebook blog, Amazon.com.au, goodreads, unlinked reviews.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from SPCK Publishing via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.
#TheMayflowerPilgrims #NetGalley
Review run date was set for 22 Sep 2020 for Netgalley, unfortunately life stood at a standstill as I finished the final semester and three subjects of my studies. On 28 March 2021 I was set to write the review and my health became an emotional roller coaster so here I am today 13 October 2021 going to write my review will be post on my linked WordPress blog, Facebook blog, Amazon.com.au, goodreads, unlinked reviews.
November 15, 2025
This book is a good high overview of history leading up to and including early American colonies. That is where the value of the book ends and the only reason I gave it 3 stars.
The main issue is that this book is not about what you would think it's about based on the title. There is extremely little attention given to the Pilgrims and the Plymouth Colony, no facts or fictions were sifted in any way.
Basically, the author's entire premise is that the Pilgrims and the Plymouth Colony were nothing special because there were other colonies. He also assets that the idea of them being religiously persecuted is over emphasised. The problem with this assertion is two fold. First, he self owns himself on this because he doesn't present facts to the contrary. Second, he leaves out facts that would prove him wrong.
The main issue is that this book is not about what you would think it's about based on the title. There is extremely little attention given to the Pilgrims and the Plymouth Colony, no facts or fictions were sifted in any way.
Basically, the author's entire premise is that the Pilgrims and the Plymouth Colony were nothing special because there were other colonies. He also assets that the idea of them being religiously persecuted is over emphasised. The problem with this assertion is two fold. First, he self owns himself on this because he doesn't present facts to the contrary. Second, he leaves out facts that would prove him wrong.
July 4, 2020
The book was not what I expected – in many ways it was better!
As a Brit, I am perhaps less familiar with the story of the Pilgrim Fathers/Mayflower than some Americans, yet I am familiar with some of the story being originally from Nottinghamshire where many of them originated from.
This book steps backwards and looks at the world the “Pilgrims” grew up in, the beliefs they held and the changes that they wanted. All of which combined to become the reasons why they made the journey – a journey into the unknown, across an unknown dangerous ocean to uncertainty. The book ends before the Mayflower, yet the journey and the subsequent establishment of the Plymouth Colony is an essential part of the story and this book really only makes sense if you know the second part of the story.
Overall, most of the book was interesting, but parts seemed very dull. It is quite an academic book when I had expected more of a “story” feel, but it is worth the effort to stick with it.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
As a Brit, I am perhaps less familiar with the story of the Pilgrim Fathers/Mayflower than some Americans, yet I am familiar with some of the story being originally from Nottinghamshire where many of them originated from.
This book steps backwards and looks at the world the “Pilgrims” grew up in, the beliefs they held and the changes that they wanted. All of which combined to become the reasons why they made the journey – a journey into the unknown, across an unknown dangerous ocean to uncertainty. The book ends before the Mayflower, yet the journey and the subsequent establishment of the Plymouth Colony is an essential part of the story and this book really only makes sense if you know the second part of the story.
Overall, most of the book was interesting, but parts seemed very dull. It is quite an academic book when I had expected more of a “story” feel, but it is worth the effort to stick with it.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews