History Daily John Bunyan’s Arrest
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Nov 12, 2025 John Bunyan's dramatic arrest in 1660 unfolds during a clandestine farmhouse meeting. As the threat of Anglicanism looms, Bunyan grapples with the harsh new laws against nonconformist worship. His personal journey from wild youth to preacher takes a turn as his imprisonment sparks a prolific writing phase. Supported by his wife Elizabeth and fellow nonconformists, he crafts the enduring allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress. His eventual release heralds a legacy that profoundly impacts literature and resonates globally.
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Arrest During A Farmhouse Meeting
- John Bunyan was arrested mid-meeting on November 12, 1660 for preaching outside the Anglican Church.
- Authorities interrupted a farmhouse gathering and seized him before he could speak.
Restoration Reversed Religious Toleration
- The Restoration reversed religious freedoms nonconformists had enjoyed under the republic.
- Charles II's return signaled renewed Anglican enforcement and danger for independent preachers.
Conversion After Personal Crisis
- John Bunyan transformed after his daughter's birth, abandoning a wild youth and joining an independent church.
- He discovered a gift for preaching and became a well-known regional theologian.
