Event    From 11/11/1620 

Mayflower Compact

Categories: Exploring, Transport

The first governing document of Plymouth Colony. Written by the 'Separatists' who were passengers on the Mayflower. It was signed by forty-one members while the ship was anchored in what is now Provincetown Harbour. The original has been lost, but its text read approximately thus:
'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 advancements 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 another, covenant and combine ourselves together into 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 hereunto 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, 1620.' 
(The "eighteenth" and the "fifty-fourth" at the end refer to the number of years James had ruled in England and Scotland.)

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Mayflower Compact

Commemorated ati

Christopher Jones statue

The statue represents Jones looking back at England, while the child is looki...

Read More

Other Subjects

James Augustus Grant

James Augustus Grant

Explorer. born Nairn, Scotland.

Person, Exploring, Africa, Scotland

1 memorial
Thomas Terry

Thomas Terry

Role on the lost expedition: Officer on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Ed. Laurence

Ed. Laurence

Role on the lost expedition: Able seaman on SS Terror. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
John Irving

John Irving

Role on the lost expedition: Officer on SS Terror. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
James Rioden

James Rioden

Role on the lost expedition: Petty officer on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Amy Garvey

Amy Garvey

W10, Bassett Road, 1

Amy lived here for 26 years. Unveiled by Jamaica's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Burchell Whiteman.

2 subjects commemorated, 3 creators
Cunard / Broadwest Film Studio

Cunard / Broadwest Film Studio

E17, Wood Street, 247 - 251

The Cunard / Broadwest Film Studio, 1914 - 1921. On this site stood one of the pioneering film studios established in the early days of B...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator