Legal Definitions - Five Mile Act

Definition: The Five Mile Act was an English law passed in 1665 that prohibited Puritan ministers from teaching or coming within five miles of any town where they had held office if they refused to pledge that they would not seek to overturn the Church of England. The Act was repealed in 1689.

Example: If a Puritan minister had previously held office in a town and refused to pledge loyalty to the Church of England, they were not allowed to teach or come within five miles of that town. This law was meant to prevent dissenting religious views from spreading and to maintain the power of the Church of England.

Explanation: The Five Mile Act was a way for the English government to control religious dissent and maintain the power of the Church of England. By preventing Puritan ministers from teaching or coming near towns where they had previously held office, the government hoped to prevent the spread of dissenting religious views. This law was an example of the government using its power to control religious expression and maintain the status quo.