History Daily: John Bunyan’s Arrest

Date: November 12, 2025
Host: Lindsey Graham
Episode Theme:
A dramatized retelling of nonconformist preacher John Bunyan's arrest on November 12, 1660, the hardships faced by his family, his years in prison, and how these struggles led him to write "The Pilgrim’s Progress," one of the most influential books in English literature.

Episode Overview

This episode explores how John Bunyan’s act of religious defiance—preaching illegally in Restoration England—resulted in his arrest and long imprisonment. Through atmospheric narration and reconstructed dialogue, host Lindsey Graham illuminates the personal, religious, and historical contexts that not only shaped Bunyan’s destiny but also influenced English literature and religious freedom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Night of John Bunyan’s Arrest

• Setting: November 12, 1660, in Samshill, central England.
• Event (00:00-02:35):
  • John Bunyan, a 31-year-old preacher, arrives at a farmhouse to lead a secret worship service despite growing persecution of nonconformists.
  • He is admitted amid fears of surveillance—his host worries the house is watched, and John is warned of a warrant for his arrest.
  • Key Moment: “John knows that by continuing to preach, he is breaking the law. But he believes it’s God’s will.” (Host, 01:20)
  • The service is interrupted by magistrate men: John is arrested before he can begin preaching.
  • This arrest becomes the catalyst for his future literary work.

2. England on the Brink: The Political & Religious Landscape

• Background (03:25-08:17):
  • May 29, 1660: Charles II’s triumphant return to the throne marks the end of the English Republic.
  • Public enthusiasm contrasts with Bunyan’s anxiety over the restoration of Anglicanism and the loss of religious freedoms previously enjoyed by nonconformists.
  • Quote (John Bunyan): “I had few equals in cursing, swearing, lying, and blaspheming the holy name of God.” (Host quoting Bunyan’s own words, 04:50)
  • Bunyan’s personal transformation began with the birth of his blind daughter Mary in 1650, leading to a deep religious awakening.
  • With the Restoration, harsh restrictions return: all must attend Anglican church, unsanctioned gatherings become illegal, and preaching outside the established church brings criminal penalties.
  • Bunyan must choose between family security and his spiritual calling.

3. The Family’s Ordeal

• Personal Impact (09:24-13:00):
  • Elizabeth Bunyan, fully aware of the risks, attempts to support her husband and family while enduring her own suffering.
  • The narrative follows Elizabeth anxiously awaiting John’s return from the night he is arrested; she miscarries due to the stress and uncertainty.
  • Key Moment: “He [John] will never give up his faith. He'd rather die.” (Host/Narrator, 11:55)
  • Bunyan is denied bail and is told he must either recant and attend Anglican services or face dire punishment.

4. Imprisonment and Creation

• Jail Years (13:00-19:00):
  • Despite being found guilty and initially sentenced to three months, John repeatedly refuses to recant, resulting in indefinite imprisonment.
  • Elizabeth becomes his advocate, petitioning authorities and gaining public sympathy, which paradoxically helps John avoid martyrdom.
  • Prison life is harsh, but Elizabeth and the nonconformist community provide food and writing materials.
  • Quote (regarding his spiritual journey): “If he can’t preach, then at least John can write.” (Host, 15:10)
  • Bunyan authors his memoir, "Grace Abounding," and then embarks on his allegorical masterpiece, "The Pilgrim’s Progress."

5. End of Imprisonment & Legacy

• Release & Influence (19:00-24:00):
  • Over 11 years in jail, Bunyan becomes a local religious leader even from behind bars and is appointed pastor of his church.
  • Memorable Moment: “In March of 1672, those hopes become reality. King Charles II issues a declaration of indulgence that officially allows nonconformists and other Christian minorities to practice their faiths. Thousands are released from prison, including John Bunyan.” (Host, 22:15)
  • Upon release, Bunyan continues work on "The Pilgrim’s Progress," which is published six years later, achieving immediate and worldwide acclaim.
  • Noted as possibly “the first novel ever written in the English language” and second only to the Bible in its influence on English literature.
  • Influences cited: Charles Dickens, C.S. Lewis, John Steinbeck, Charlotte Bronte, among others.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “John knows that by continuing to preach, he is breaking the law. But he believes it’s God’s will…” (Lindsey Graham, 01:20)
• On Bunyan’s transformation: “I had few equals in cursing, swearing, lying and blaspheming the holy name of God.” (John Bunyan, quoted by Graham, 04:50)
• “He will never give up his faith. He'd rather die.” (Elizabeth Bunyan’s conviction, narrated by Graham, 11:55)
• “If he can’t preach, then at least John can write.” (Graham, 15:10)
• “The Pilgrim’s Progress will later be described as the first novel ever written in the English language.” (Graham, 23:12)
• “But the Pilgrim's Progress might never have existed had John not been in jail.” (Graham, 24:04)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00-02:35: Bunyan’s arrest and the immediate stakes
• 03:25-08:17: Background on Bunyan’s past and Restoration England
• 09:24-13:00: Elizabeth’s ordeal; the family’s suffering and Bunyan’s sentencing
• 13:00-19:00: Life in prison, Elizabeth’s advocacy, and Bunyan’s writing
• 19:00-24:00: Bunyan’s legacy: release, publication, and literary/historical influence

Conclusion

This episode movingly recounts how persecution and adversity forged John Bunyan’s spiritual and literary legacy. By blending historical narration, dramatized scenes, and emotional storytelling, the host paints a vivid picture of an ordinary man whose extraordinary faith changed English literature forever—offering a testament to resilience, conviction, and the unintended blessings that can arise from hardship.