Fears of 17th-Century English People

Major fears in 1600s England included:

• The Plague: Devastating epidemics, notably the Great Plague of London (1665–66, ~100,000 deaths).
• Witchcraft: Widespread belief; accusations led to torture and execution.
• The Catholic Church: Seen as a threat to the Protestant establishment; fears of Catholic plots.
• The Spanish Armada (1588): Invasion scare lingered for decades.
• The Gunpowder Plot (1605): Catholic conspiracy to blow up Parliament; fear of Catholic terrorism persisted.
• Civil War (1642–51): Destructive conflict between Parliamentarians and Royalists.
• The Commonwealth (1649–60): Republican rule feared for religious persecution and economic decline.
• The Restoration (1660): Monarchy's return welcomed for hoped stability.