In order to understand the English Revolution and Civil War we need to understand Puritanism. Using his consumate skill as a historian, Christopher Hill suggests that there might have been non-theological reasons for supporting the Puritans, or for being a Puritan. He shows Puritanism as a living faith, answering the hopes and fears of yeomen and gentlemen, merchants and artisans. He looks at oath-taking, the Sabbath, bawdy courts and poor relief, and assesses the significance of the household (rather than the Parish) and the dignity of labor.