precept (n.)

“commandment or direction given as a rule of action,” especially “an injunction as to moral conduct,” late 14c., from Old French perceptpercet (12c.) and directly from Latin praeceptum “maxim, rule of conduct, order,” noun use of neuter past participle of praecipere “give rules to, order, advise,” literally “take beforehand,” from prae “before” (see pre-) + capere (past participle captus) “to take,” from PIE root *kap- “to grasp.” For change of vowel, see biennial. Related: Preceptive; preceptory.

Mayflower Compact

The Mayflower Compact, originally titled Agreement Between the Settlers of New Plymouth, was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was written by the male passengers of the Mayflower, consisting of separatist Puritans, adventurers, and tradesmen. The Puritans were fleeing from religious persecution by King James I of England.

The Mayflower Compact was signed aboard ship on November 21 [O.S. November 11], 1620.[1] Signing the covenant were 41 of the ship’s 101 passengers[2][3] while the Mayflower was anchored in Provincetown Harbor within the hook at the northern tip of Cape Cod.[4]