Five Mile Act

The Five Mile Act was a British law enacted in 1665 that restricted nonconformist religious groups, such as Puritans and Baptists, from preaching or teaching within five miles of their former places of worship. This legislation aimed to suppress dissent and maintain the Church of England's dominance by preventing nonconformists from gathering followers. The act reflected the tension between state and religious authority during a time of social upheaval in England. It was eventually repealed in the early 19th century, as attitudes towards religious freedom began to change.