Roger Williams

A determined Puritan minister, Roger Williams finds himself at odds with the rigid orthodoxy of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. His outspoken belief that civil authority should not dictate matters of conscience leads to a bitter conflict, and he is forced to leave the settlement he once called home. Seeking refuge on the frontier, he encounters the native peoples, quickly learning their language and customs, and begins a remarkable dialogue that bridges two very different worlds.

In the wilderness, Williams envisions a new community founded on true religious liberty and fair treatment of indigenous peoples. He gathers a small group of like‑minded settlers, establishes a settlement that welcomes dissenters, and works tirelessly to secure a charter that protects these ideals. The early days are marked by hardship, negotiation, and the forging of relationships that hint at the lasting legacy he will leave in the shaping of American ideas about freedom and tolerance.