This key facts covers John Bunyan: A Case Study within Catholics and Dissenters for GCSE History. Revise Catholics and Dissenters in Restoration England 1660-1685 for GCSE History with 10 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 5 of 14 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

📌 John Bunyan: A Case Study

Baptist preacher. Imprisoned 1660-72 for preaching without a license. Wrote Pilgrim's Progress (1678) — became one of most read books in English. His story shows:

Persecution was real — 12 years in prison

Dissent survived — Bunyan kept writing, kept following

Cultural impact — Dissenters produced major literature

Practice questions for Catholics and Dissenters

Approximately how many Quakers were imprisoned during the reign of Charles II?

A. Around 1,500
B. Around 5,000
C. Around 15,000
D. Around 50,000

1 markfoundation

How many Nonconformist ministers were ejected from their parishes following the Act of Uniformity in 1662?

A. Around 200
B. Around 2,000
C. Around 10,000
D. Around 20,000

1 markfoundation

Quick recall flashcards

What was recusancy?

Refusing to attend Church of England services — technically illegal under Elizabethan recusancy laws still in force. Catholics could be fined £20 per month for recusancy. In practice, enforcement was uneven — wealthy Catholic gentry often paid fines or used influence to avoid prosecution, while poorer Catholics suffered more severely.

Who was John Bunyan?

Baptist preacher imprisoned for illegal preaching 1660-72 (with a brief release 1666-68). While in Bedford Gaol he wrote Pilgrim's Progress (1678) — the most widely read book in England after the Bible. His imprisonment shows how the Clarendon Code harmed even respected preachers.

Key Points About Religious Persecution

Exam Connection: Diversity of Experience

John Bunyan: A Case Study