The Story of The Mayflower Compact, Which Was Adopted on November 11, 1620

Note: Please do not miss this article, which Word Foundations published on November 10: Election 2020: A Declaration of War. In his article, guest writer Patrick Wyett discusses the current landscape of the 2020 election, its potential implications for America’s future, and what you can do to make a positive difference.

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Celebrating the 400^th Anniversary of The Mayflower Compact

William Bradford was one of the Pilgrims who settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620. The hardships and blessings the Pilgrims experienced, and especially their response to all of these, provide the historical backdrop for Thanksgiving in the United States. An essential part of the Pilgrims’ story is The Mayflower Compact.

Today, November 11, 2020, is the 400th anniversary of this foundational document in American history. What is the story behind it? Let’s find out.

Bradford became governor of the Plymouth Colony and remained its leader for many years. He recorded  the adventures of the Pilgrims in an account titled Of Plymouth Plantation, which is the primary source for this report.

Imagine Bradford is speaking to you in 21^st-century English. He might say something like this—

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Our congregation of believers left England and moved to Holland so we would be able to worship God freely; then, after 11 or so years, we felt compelled to leave Holland because we were concerned about how the culture was affecting our children. We departed for the New World in 1620, and later in the year than we ideally would have due to circumstances beyond our control. Our arrival here came after a rough ocean crossing on the Mayflower. We landed at Cape Cod in the New World on November 11, 1620. Before we even began to explore the land, we knew there was an important matter of business we had to address.

We were keenly aware that chaos would erupt if we didn’t live together in harmony, so we drafted what is now known as The Mayflower Compact. It was our statement that we would unite in one “Civil Body Politic” and obey the laws that were enacted. Unity and harmony had to be preserved. If we didn’t stick together, we wouldn’t survive!

Here is the document in its entirety, along with our names.

In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc.

Having undertaken for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together in a Civil Body Politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620.

William Bradford’s transcription of the Mayflower Compact

Signatories