Independent (religion)

In Welsh and English church history, Independents advocated local congregational control of religious and church matters, without any wider geographical hierarchy, either ecclesiastical or political. They were particularly prominent during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms as well under the Commonwealth and Protectorate. The New Model Army became the champion of Independent religious views and its members helped carry out Pride's Purge in December 1648.

Unlike their Presbyterian allies, Independents rejected any state role in religious practice, including the Church of England, and advocated freedom of religion for most non-Catholics. Their religious views led some to back radical political groups such as the Levellers, who supported concepts like Republicanism, universal suffrage and joint ownership of property.

The Independents later became known as the Congregationalists, who are part of the wider Reformed tradition of Christianity.

Quotes

• The Independents, whose first station
  Was in the rear of reformation:
  A mongrel kind of church dragoons,
  That served for horse and foot at once,
  And in the saddle of one steed,
  The Saracen and Christian rid,
  Were free of every spiritual order,
  To preach, and fight, and pray, and murder.
  • Samuel Butler, Hudibras, part 3, canto 2, line 111

• The bloody Bear, an independent beast,
  Unlick'd to form, in groans her hate express'd.
  • John Dryden, The Hind and the Panther, part 1, line 35