Rhode Island Royal Charter - Timeline Event
Founder
Roger Williams
Time Period
07-08-1663
Description
The original Patent of 1643, which had been granted by a Puritan-dominated Parliament during the English Revolution, had not made provision for a unified, central government in Rhode Island. Roger Williams, frustrated by the constant squabbles between the local settlements and worried about the growing power of neighboring Massachusetts, traveled to London and successfully obtained a royal charter.
In a surprising departure from legal tradition, the charter (described as a "lively experiment") acknowledged Indian land rights and provided for religious toleration in the colony, specifying that "no person...shall be any wise molested, punished, disquieted, or called in question, for any differences in opinion in matters of religion." The Royal Charter of 1663 remained in force until a new constitution was written in 1843.
In a surprising departure from legal tradition, the charter (described as a "lively experiment") acknowledged Indian land rights and provided for religious toleration in the colony, specifying that "no person...shall be any wise molested, punished, disquieted, or called in question, for any differences in opinion in matters of religion." The Royal Charter of 1663 remained in force until a new constitution was written in 1843.
Interactive Timeline(s)
Browse Related Timeline Entries
Religious Groups
Baptist Family: Other ARDA LinksBaptist Family: Religious Family Tree
Biographies
Williams, RogerRelated Dictionary Terms
Religious Tolerance, Williams, Roger (1603-1683)Photographs
Rhode Island Royal Charter- Rhode Island State Website
Roger Williams returning from England with the charter- Wikimedia Commons
King Charles II of England- Internet Archive- from Charles II by Airy Osmund
John Clarke portrait- Wikimedia Commons
Web Source(s)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhode_Island_Royal_CharterWeb Page Contributor
Paul MatzkoAffliated with: Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D. in History
