Those people who have studied the English Civil War and the conflicts associated with it should be familiar with the Levellers, and the name Richard Overton. These radicals, whose democratic views were based on their understanding of Christianity, were one of the world's first political parties. Their name continues to echo down through history, still influencing politics to this day.
Many pamphlets and tracts debating the political issues of the day were written in the late 1640s, with Richard Overton writing many famous examples. The Levellers rose to the peak of their influence in 1648 and 1649, in the time immediately before the execution of Charles I. The English Civil War had spread to Ireland and Scotland by then, and violence would erupt again in England before Oliver Cromwell would take power.
Their influence on the contemporary political scene had waned to almost nothing by 1650, but their name and their legend still persists in English culture, especially amongst left wing political groups. Indeed, although they were not a political party in the modern sense of the word, much of what they did bears the hallmark of early political organization. Petitioning and the production of pamphlets arguing a position were used by the Levellers, with Overton writing some of them, while members showed their support by wearing a sea-green ribbon.
The term 'Leveller' probably dates back to the early 17th century, when rebels who 'levelled' hedges in protest against enclosures were abused with the word. By the 1640s, it had come to be used to refer to members of a New Model Army group who were said to favor the killing of Charles I. As well as Richard Overton, prominent Levellers included John Liliburne and William Walwyn.
The political demands that the Levellers made seem somewhat tame to modern eyes, but they were considered very radical indeed by the standards of the 17th century. Concepts such as the vote for all adult males, parliamentary reform to eradicate corruption, Parliament to be elected every couple of years, and the abolition of imprisonment as a punishment for debt, all formed part of their program. They were also in favor of religious toleration, which had continued to be controversial during the 17th century.
Overton himself was of the opinion that liberty was the natural right of every person, something which is familiar today. Some Levellers also felt that the natural rights of the English people had been eroded since the Norman Conquest. Others felt that the justification for universal freedom could be found in the Bible.
The forces of the government, with Oliver Cromwell to the fore, did not tolerate the Levellers for long. A mutiny amongst some New Model Army units was brutally crushed, with some ringleaders shot, while political leaders like Walwyn and Lilburne were put in prison. Many of the Levellers' demands would later come into law, in England and across the world.
Richard Overton would go on to vanish into relative obscurity, though it is known that he spent time in prison, as well as overseas, in the two decades or so after the end of the Levellers. It is also believed that he may have spied on behalf of both Cromwell's government and Charles II. As part of the Levellers, he helped to bring the plight of the common people to history's notice.
Many pamphlets and tracts debating the political issues of the day were written in the late 1640s, with Richard Overton writing many famous examples. The Levellers rose to the peak of their influence in 1648 and 1649, in the time immediately before the execution of Charles I. The English Civil War had spread to Ireland and Scotland by then, and violence would erupt again in England before Oliver Cromwell would take power.
Their influence on the contemporary political scene had waned to almost nothing by 1650, but their name and their legend still persists in English culture, especially amongst left wing political groups. Indeed, although they were not a political party in the modern sense of the word, much of what they did bears the hallmark of early political organization. Petitioning and the production of pamphlets arguing a position were used by the Levellers, with Overton writing some of them, while members showed their support by wearing a sea-green ribbon.
The term 'Leveller' probably dates back to the early 17th century, when rebels who 'levelled' hedges in protest against enclosures were abused with the word. By the 1640s, it had come to be used to refer to members of a New Model Army group who were said to favor the killing of Charles I. As well as Richard Overton, prominent Levellers included John Liliburne and William Walwyn.
The political demands that the Levellers made seem somewhat tame to modern eyes, but they were considered very radical indeed by the standards of the 17th century. Concepts such as the vote for all adult males, parliamentary reform to eradicate corruption, Parliament to be elected every couple of years, and the abolition of imprisonment as a punishment for debt, all formed part of their program. They were also in favor of religious toleration, which had continued to be controversial during the 17th century.
Overton himself was of the opinion that liberty was the natural right of every person, something which is familiar today. Some Levellers also felt that the natural rights of the English people had been eroded since the Norman Conquest. Others felt that the justification for universal freedom could be found in the Bible.
The forces of the government, with Oliver Cromwell to the fore, did not tolerate the Levellers for long. A mutiny amongst some New Model Army units was brutally crushed, with some ringleaders shot, while political leaders like Walwyn and Lilburne were put in prison. Many of the Levellers' demands would later come into law, in England and across the world.
Richard Overton would go on to vanish into relative obscurity, though it is known that he spent time in prison, as well as overseas, in the two decades or so after the end of the Levellers. It is also believed that he may have spied on behalf of both Cromwell's government and Charles II. As part of the Levellers, he helped to bring the plight of the common people to history's notice.
About the Author:
If you want details about Richard Overton, visit the web pages here at www.rickoverton.net today. You can see details on performances online at http://www.rickoverton.net now.
No comments:
Post a Comment