The+Mayflower+Compact

Homework Assignment: The Mayflower Compact

The original document was lost, but the transcriptions in Mourt's Relation and William Bradford's journal //Of Plymouth Plantation// are in agreement and accepted as accurate. Bradford's hand written manuscript is kept in a special vault at the State Library of Massachusetts.



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 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 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.

Mayflower Compact Document Analysis 1. What was the purpose of this document? 2. In what two ‘presences” is the document being signed? 3. According to the text, what is the significance of being the “first colony in the northern parts of Virginia”? 4. The signers promise to covenant and combine. What does this mean? 5. What do you think a “civil body politick” is? 6. What will the civil body politick do from “time to time”? 7. Why do the signers say this is necessary? 8. What do the signers promise to do?

Please email your work to me (sdoliber@ssec.org) no later than Friday, September 6th.