As a ‘founding father’ of Quakerism, George Fox is one of the most important figures in the history of Nonconformist religion in Britain. Amid the background of the English Civil Wars, many groups began to reconsider the role of the established church in their religious lives.

As a young man, Fox became disillusioned with how the behaviours of mainstream Christians diverged from their professed beliefs. He set out travelling in search of a different kind of faith.

It was a time of great turmoil and persecution, but also of change and hope for the future. Out of this, emerged the dissenting group known as the Friends of Truth which later changed to The Religious Society of Friends, known informally as ‘Quakers’.

The exhibition features loans from Friends House, London and Swarthmoor Hall, Ulverston, as well as reproductions from the State Papers at The National Archives.