The Mayflower | Saints and Strangers | 1

American History Tellers

Wondery

Society & Culture, Kids & Family, History, Education For Kids

4.7 • 18.3K Ratings

🗓️ 5 November 2025

⏱️ 37 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In the early 1600s, an orphaned teenager named William Bradford joined a clandestine congregation of passionate Puritan worshipers in the village of Scrooby, England. Every Sunday, he met in secret with the radical group known as Separatists, who believed that the Church of England was corrupt, and that the only way forward was to break with it entirely. But defiance of the Church of England was a serious crime, and Bradford and his fellow worshippers faced harassment and persecution.

So they resolved to leave England altogether and flee to Holland, where they could worship in peace. It was the start of a long and turbulent odyssey that would end on the rocky shores of New England, with the founding of Plymouth Colony.

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

Listen to American History Tellers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/american-history-tellers/ now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	As we explore the triumphs and tragedies that shaped America,
0:03.9	we're always striving to paint a vivid, nuanced picture of the past,
0:07.3	and with Wondery Plus, you can experience that vision in its purest form.
0:11.0	Enjoy ad-free episodes, early access to new seasons,
0:13.8	and exclusive bonus content that illuminates the human stories behind the history.
0:17.9	Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts and see American
0:21.7	History through a whole new lens.
0:40.3	Imagine it's October 1620.
0:45.8	It's late at night, and you're on board the Mayflower, somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
0:51.5	You're the captain of the ship, and you and your crew are trying to navigate your way through a violent storm.
0:54.7	Rain lashes your face as you cling to a rope ladder,
0:59.8	bracing yourself as another gigantic wave batters the hall. Bring the light closer.
1:05.1	One of your sailors, a green horn named Thomas, holds a swinging lantern above you.
1:10.0	You lean down to inspect the main timber beam that runs from one side of the hole to the other.
1:11.4	You catch your breath as you discover a large crack running down the center. Oh, God help us. We can't go on like this.
1:17.5	You and Thomas climb back down the rope ladder as half a dozen members of your crew gather around you.
1:23.0	Thomas plants his boots wide on the lurching deck, rain drops running off the brim of his hat.
1:28.2	What do you mean, Captain, we can't go on?
1:30.2	She won't hold. I won't risk our lives any longer.
1:32.7	These autumn westerlies are making this voyage impossible.
1:35.7	It's time to turn back.
1:37.6	Crew members stir uneasily.
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 5 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Wondery, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Wondery and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.