The Massachusetts Bay Colony

The History and Legacy of the Settlement of Colonial New England

By: Charles River Editors

Narrated by: Tracey Norman

The first successful American colony in North America was settled in 1607 at Jamestown, Virginia. Though the Virginian colonists had difficulty in the beginning, by the late 1620s the Chesapeake area was thriving, having become a haven for those seeking economic opportunity in the new world. Pressures in England were growing as King Charles I was on the throne. Though Charles I himself was an Anglican, many suspected him of Catholic sympathies, a suspicion not alleviated by Charles I marriage to a French Catholic princess. Many Protestants had a growing desire to practice their faith and conduct their lives away from the mother country, and sought refuge in a destination called New England. The land chosen by this group, who "could pay their own way across the Atlantic" in contrast to the poorer settlers of the Chesapeake region was "colder, less abundant, but far healthier" than Virginia. Alan Taylor sees this decision as one in "classic Puritan fashion", citing one settler's view: "If men desire to have a people degenerate speedily, and to corrupt their minds and bodies too...let them seek a rich soil, that beings in much with little labor; but if they desire that Piety and Godliness should prosper...let them choose a Country such as [New England] which yields sufficiency with hard labor and industry." The Puritans who came to America were, therefore, primed for hard work, discipline and the independent life, unlike their English counterparts who "preferred Anglicanism and the traditional culture characterized by church ales, Sunday diversions, ceremonial services, inclusive churches, and deference to the monarch."

©2016 Charles River Editors (P)2017 Charles River Editors

A Short History

I’ve gotten old and need hearing aids, and I have difficulty with women not readers. I set the 5% and was able to hear her clearly. This is one of the shorter mysteries of the bay colony.

Would recommend

Excellent discussion of the history without overt political biases. Found it informative and enjoyable, I would definitely recommend to someone want to learn history.

Succinct

I was looking for a quick history lesson on the Colonies in New England. It was full of details and only took an hour and 15 minutes.

Narrow religious focus, but interesting nonetheless.

Narrow religious focus, but interesting nonetheless. The reader was good, but lacked an interpretive dynamic or perspective on what was being read.