Page "Anne Hutchinson" Paragraph 23

Ultimately, Hutchinson was brought to civil trial by the General Court in November 1637, presided over by Governor John Winthrop, on the charge of “ traducing the ministers ”.

The Court included both government officials and Puritan clergy.

She was 46 at the time and was forced to stand for many hours for two days before a board of male interrogators as they tried desperately to get her to admit her secret blasphemies.

They accused her of violating the fifth commandment – to " honor thy father and mother "– accusing her of encouraging dissent against the fathers of the commonwealth.

It was charged that by attending her gatherings women were being tempted to neglect the care of their own families.