Laud, << lawd, >> William (1573-1645), was the dominant figure in the Church of England during the disputes that led to the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642. Because the Church of England was the national church, Laud believed that all English people should conform to it. He directed his efforts to enforce uniformity mainly against the Puritans. The Puritans were Protestants who wanted the Church of England to adopt simpler forms of organization and worship (see Puritans ).
Laud was born in Reading on Oct. 7, 1573. He attended Oxford University and became a clergyman in 1601. Laud rose to prominence under Charles I, who became king in 1625. In 1633, Laud became archbishop of Canterbury, the highest-ranking bishop in England. As archbishop, he used the royal courts of the Star Chamber and High Commission to put down religious observances that did not conform to those of the national church. Laud also withdrew the preaching licenses of Puritan ministers and had Puritans imprisoned. All these acts aroused considerable opposition to both Laud and the king and eventually contributed to the Civil War.
In 1640, the Parliament had Laud arrested on charges of high treason. The charges were flimsy, but he was beheaded on Jan. 10, 1645.
