The English Dissenters or English Separatists were Protestants who separated from the Church of England during the 17th and 18th centuries. These Dissenters opposed state interference in religious matters and founded their own churches, educational establishments, and communities. The Dissenter movement agitated for a wide-reaching Reformation of the establish Church, which continued to hold Catholic-influenced views on ritualism and the rule of bishops.
The earliest denomination to form was the Presbyterians, who formed in the 16th century and were influenced by the teachings of John Calvin; their strongholds were in London, Lancashire, Cheshire, and parts of Yorkshire. The Congregationalists, or "Independents", emerged in the early 17th century and emphasized local church autonomy; they were prominent in London, East Anglia, and parts of the Midlands. the Baptists originate din the 17th century, with various sub-denominations such as the General Baptists and Particular Baptists; they were centered in the Midlands, London, and parts of the West Country. The Unitarians developed in the 17th century and rejected the doctrine of the Trinity, and their strongholds were in Essex, the West Midlands, and parts of Yorkshire. The Quakers formed in the mid-17th century and emphasized inner spiritual experience, and they were influential in North West England, London, and parts of the West Country. Finally, the Methodists emerged in the 18th century as a revivalist movement within the Church of England and were prominent in Cornwall, the West Midlands, and parts of Yorkshire.
At the time of the English Civil War, East Anglia had a strong Puritan and Nonconformist tradition, with towns like Norwich, Ipswich, and Colchester having sizable dissenting populations. The West Midlands, centered around Birmingham, had a significant Dissenting presence, especially among Baptists and Quakers. In the industrial north, Lancashire had a thriving community of Nonconformists, including Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and Unitarians, particularly in Manchester and other textile manufacturing towns. London and the Home Counties contained a diverse array of dissenting sects, including many wealthy merchants and professionals. These regions also tended to be Whig-leaning due to their support for religious toleration and their ties to commercial and urban interests.
At the time of the Civil War, around 20-25% of the English population was Nonconformist or Dissenting Protestant. After the Restoration in 1660, many Nonconformists faced renewed persecution and pressure to conform to the established church. Some Nonconformists, particularly those from more moderate backgrounds, reverted to Anglicanism to avoid legal and social consequences. However, the majority remained steadfast in their faith, continuing to practice their beliefs in secret or in defiance of the law. A significant number chose to emigrate to the American colonies; 20,000-30,000 left for New England from 1620 to 1640. By the late 17th and 18th centuries, the Nonconformist/Dissenting population in England stabilized at around 10-15% of the total population.