Editing St Botolph's Church, Boston (section)

==Political climate and its effects==
The [[Reformation]] in England resulted in a reduction of the cathedral-like complex. At its peak the church was larger than it is today, including a number of attached buildings: the Corpus Christi Chapel to the south-western edge of the porch, and Charnel House on the eastern side of the nave opposite the Cotton Chapel. Together these extensions created a traditional cruciform shape to the building.

But in 1612 the church was damaged by militant local [[puritan]]s. This is the year when the present [[pulpit]] was erected. Its grand style and prominence indicate the importance accorded to preaching in the time of the [[Pilgrim (Plymouth Colony)|Pilgrims]]. More damage was done by Parliamentary forces during the [[English Civil War]]. They are said to have used the church as their camp in 1643. The Parliamentary forces destroyed stained-glass windows that they found politically or religiously offensive, as happened in many other churches in Lincolnshire.

[[John Cotton (Puritan)|John Cotton]] was a 17th-century vicar of Boston. A [[Puritan]], he was noted as a preacher and attracted new members to the congregation. He wanted to change the Anglican Church from within, and simplify its liturgy & practice. He moved to Massachusetts in 1633 as a leader of settlers who had already emigrated (some had spent time in the Netherlands for religious freedom), as well as his own followers. He was instrumental in founding and naming [[Boston, Massachusetts]]. The "Cotton Chapel" at St Botolph's was named for him. At one time it was used as a school, and later as the fire station. It was [[Victorian restoration|restored]] in 1857.