The Mayflower Pilgrims originated from a congregation of families in England who wanted to escape religious persecution by King James I. The group strongly objected to Church of England practices that aligned with Catholic tradition rather than scripture. Consequently, they wanted to break away to form an independent church, earning them the name "Separatists." However, because the king ruled the Church of England, this separation was illegal and amounted to treason, a crime punishable by torture and death.

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In 1608, a Separatist group from the English farming village of Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, finally succeeded in escaping to Holland, a country far more religiously tolerant, after several failed attempts. The congregation settled in Leiden, at last free to worship as they felt called, but life was difficult. They did not speak Dutch, and as farmers, they were unaccustomed to city life. Most found menial jobs in Holland's textile industry and struggled to support their families.
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After twelve years, their freedom to worship faced new threats as Roman Catholic Spain prepared to invade Holland. The Separatists once again needed a new home where the government did not dictate worship. Longing for their English culture, they wanted to speak their native language and farm their own land. Furthermore, realizing that their children were adopting the liberal attitudes of the Dutch, they wished to raise their families in a more conservative environment. After much discussion, the Separatists resolved to settle in America.
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Settling in British-claimed territory required the king's permission. The Separatists negotiated with the King's Privy Council and received a land patent issued by the Virginia Company of London, which permitted them to settle near the mouth of the Hudson River, located between present-day New York and New Jersey. Although King James I refused to officially grant them religious freedom, he promised not to disturb the colonists as long as they "carried themselves peaceably."
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Settling in America also required a great deal of money, which the Separatists did not have. To finance their venture, they sold off their belongings and formed a joint stock company with the Merchant Adventurers of London. In exchange for financial backing, the Separatists agreed to send the investors their goods and profits from America for seven years, retaining only what they needed for their survival. After seven years, the investors would release the colonists from service, dissolve the company, and distribute the assets among the colonists and investors.
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In August 1620, a group of Leiden Separatists sailed from Holland to England aboard a small ship named the Speedwell. Upon docking in Southampton Harbor, they joined the Mayflower, a larger vessel from London. Aboard the Mayflower were London craftsmen, merchants, and laborers whom investors had recruited to maximize the new colony's chances of success. Unlike the Separatists, these recruited passengers sought economic opportunity and adventure, maintaining no issue with the Church of England.
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The Separatists became known as the "Saints," while the London recruits were referred to as the "Strangers." Despite being outnumbered, the Saints remained in charge of the venture. Eventually, all passengers would be known as the Pilgrims.