Oaths of Allegiance in Colonial New England

This work opens with the dramatic language of 16th‑century English law, laying out the oaths that bound subjects to the crown and, by extension, to a state‑controlled church. It then follows those decrees across the Atlantic, showing how they were transplanted into the fledgling settlements of New England. Listeners will discover how the early colonists wrestled with the demands of loyalty to a distant monarch while striving to preserve their own religious convictions.

Through vivid excerpts and clear narration, the book reveals the everyday consequences of swearing allegiance—who could own land, hold office, or even attend a meeting. It paints a portrait of a community caught between obedience and conscience, setting the stage for the conflicts that would later shape American ideas of religious freedom. The first act offers a compelling glimpse into the legal and moral dilemmas that defined a generation of settlers.