• Exploring Quaker Spirituality

• Understanding Quaker Diversity

• Tangled Roots: Navigating the Complex Legacy of Early Quakers

• The Quaker Spiritual Path: From Discomfort to New Life

• The Roots of the Quaker way: Medieval Piety to Radical Puritanism

• Margaret Fell: The Mother of Quakerism

• Reading the Bible with Early Friends

• Quaker Roots in Advices and Queries

• Silence and Witness: The Roots of Quaker Spirituality and Testimony

• George Fox on Spirituality, Community, Witness, and Hope

• The Light in their Consciences: The Early Quakers in Britain, 1646-1666

• The Meaning of the Cross: Restoration or Retribution?

• Responding to Ecological Crisis: Quaker Spiritual Insights

• The Rule of Christ: Themes in the Theology of James Nayler

• The Digger and the Quaker: Gerrard Winstanley and James Nayler

• Handmaidens of the Lord: Early Quaker Women and their Writings

Courses and Events

Upcoming Courses

The Roots of the Quaker Way

Wednesday 29 October - Tuesday 9 December 2025

What were the religious roots of the Quaker way? How were early Friends influenced by their religious context? This course will explore the connections between Quakers and other radical religious groups from the Middle Ages to the English Revolution.

By studying popular piety in the late medieval period, and radical groups during the Reformation, and in 17th-century England, the material in this course will give you a deeper understanding of the radical religious milieu out of which the Quaker movement emerged. We will look at religious groups and movements such as the Rhineland Mystics, the Beguines, the Anabaptists, the Radical Spiritualists, the English Baptists, the Family of Love, the Radical Puritans, the Levellers, the Diggers and the Ranters.

The Roots of the Quaker Way - Woodbrooke

Stuart Masters is a teacher and facilitator specialising in the Quaker way, its history, theology and spirituality, and its relationship to other Christian traditions.

He is an Associate Tutor for Woodbrooke, the international Quaker learning and research organization based in the United Kingdom.

Have a look at the Woodbrooke Website.

Stuart offers a wide range of learning opportunities including: online courses and live sessions, on-site short courses, and local day events. If you have a query about Woodbrooke courses, please email the Woodbrooke Learning team.

Courses and Events Offered

Recent Evaluation Feedback

"Stuart is such a good communicator and so empathetic and tender in his approach. I really enjoyed listening to his prerecorded material/slides and I think this was balanced nicely with the two live open discussion Zoom sessions."

Participant from the online course, The Quaker Spiritual Path: From Discomfort to new Life (September-October 2025)

"Stuart is a wonderful tutor. This course has enabled me to more fully understand the roots and beliefs of early Quakerism and Margaret Fell. I now feel more confident locating the path of Quakerism in the present and future. Stuart was also excellent in bringing out the views of fellow participants."

Participant from Margaret Fell: The Mother of Quakerism, at Glenthorne Quaker Centre (April, 2025)

"This was pitched at the right level and has provided me the scaffolding needed to nudge myself forward. As a black person, it was warming to have someone address the Quakers reckoning with slavery/racism and the wider world with a steadiness and confidence that isn't always easy for some. The subject of today's meeting rightly meant it wasn't the focus, but it engendered a sense of safety."

Participant from Quaker Spirituality in a Day, Woodbrooke-Where-You-Are event with Warwick Quaker Meeting (May, 2025)

"I find Stuart's teaching very clear and this opportunity was very helpful for me at this time. I found the contributions from attendees enhanced the content and Stuart's responses to these demonstrated his knowledge, wisdom and own experiences (about some of which his honesty was appreciated!)"

Participant from the single live session, Exploring the Quaker Spiritual Path (June 2025)