The name ‘Quaker’, like the name ‘Puritan’ (and, indeed, the name ‘Christian’), was originally a term of derision—in this case applied to the Society of Friends founded by George Fox. It is said to have been used first by a judge at Derby where Fox was imprisoned as a blasphemer, after Fox had exhorted the magistrate to ‘tremble at the word of the Lord.’
The Quakers from early times have put much emphasis upon the Spirit of God speaking in and through them. Generally, they have rejected ceremonies, the sacraments and clergy, considering the ‘inner light’ as important as Scripture. They have consistently practised and promoted pacifism and social services. A great number of Quakers were imprisoned at Newgate after the passing of the Act of Uniformity in 1660. But by the late 1660s there were many Friends meeting houses in the London area, more in the country districts than the City itself. One of these, Jordans Meeting House in Buckinghamshire, still exists.