Having fought under Oliver Cromwell and the Scots in the overthrow of the British crown, Dale MacRoth witnessed first hand what civil war could do to a nation. He saw that the common citizens no longer had to be ruled by a Monarch but could themselves establish their own government. England had been involved in a long struggle over religious freedom, having been deeply affected by the protestant reformation and the reaction of Catholicism to resist the spread of those it considered to be heretics. Dale MacRoth also experienced the sometimes harsh and strict Puritan rule established by Cromwell and his military government. MacRoth saw that the removal of one autocrat may not produce the results one expected but that another autocrat may simly replace the one just removed. The King of England would soon be executed by Cromwell and his followers and the British throne would be offered to Cromwell himself. Cromwell refused this offer but was none the less exaulted as "Lord Protecter of England". When newly discovered lands opened Dale MacRoth at the age of 29 decided to leave England and Scotland and live where one might find himself free from the oppression of established religion. Having lived where the aristocracy and land owners had the power and control it was hard for the common man to advance in life beyond the lot of his natural birth. A life of labor in a learned trade was about the best a commoner could hope for. To own his own land and to advance himself in education was very difficult to attain. Dale MacRoth had at least learned to read and write and had worked as a stone mason with his father while growing up. Dale MacRoth had come to the North Island in hope of finding a better life, bringing with him his collection of books which he dearly treasured.