Christopher Jones

A desire to improve social conditions and to solve the problem of the poor and the vagrant, which had become acute since the dissolution of the monasteries, was arousing the authorities to deal with the pauper and to dispose of the criminal in such a way as to yield a profitable service to the kingdom.

England was full of resolute men, sea dogs and soldiers of fortune, captains on the land as well as the sea, who in times of peace were seeking employment and profit and who needed an outlet for their energies.

Some of these continued in the service of kings and princes in Europe, others conducted enterprises against the Spaniards in the West Indies and along the Spanish Main, while still others, such as John Smith and Miles Standish, became pioneers in the work of English colonization.

But more important than the promptings of land hunger and the desire for wealth and adventure was the call made by a social and religious movement which was but a phase of the general restlessness and popular discontent.