born 1600, Swainswick, Somerset, Eng.
died Oct. 24, 1669, London
English Puritan pamphleteer.
Trained as a lawyer, he published Puritan tracts from 1627 and assailed Anglican ceremonialism. He attacked popular amusements, especially plays, in his book Histrio Mastix: The Players Scourge (1633). Archbishop William Laud had him imprisoned; after he wrote more pamphlets attacking Laud and other Anglicans, his ears were cut off. Released in 1640, Prynne brought about Laud's conviction and execution (1645). Elected to Parliament in 1648, he was expelled for attacks on radical Puritans and later imprisoned for refusing to pay taxes (165053). Disaffected with Oliver Cromwell 's Commonwealth, he became a supporter of Charles II .