William Penn

For the British admiral, see William Penn (admiral).

Religious belief

Although born in a well-to-do Anglican family, Penn joined the Religious Society of Friends or Quakers at the age of 25. The Quakers obeyed their "inner light", which they believed to come directly from God, refused to bow to the authority of the king, and endorsed pacifism. These were times of turmoil, just after Cromwell's death, and the Quakers were suspect, because of their heretical ideas and because of their refusal to pay respect to the king or swear an oath of loyalty to him (Quakers do not swear any oaths).

Related Topics:
Anglican - Religious Society of Friends - Inner light - God - King - Pacifism - Cromwell

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Penn's religious views were extremely distressing to his father, Sir William Penn, who had through naval service earned an estate in Ireland and hoped that Penn's charisma and intelligence would be able to win him favor at the court of Charles II.

Related Topics:
Sir William Penn - Ireland - Charles II

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~