Levellers - Revision history

Pankratz at 13:15, 25 April 2013

2013-04-25T13:15:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:15, 25 April 2013
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	~~The '''Levellers''' were a faction~~ of left-wing democrats during the [[English Civil Wars]]. They demanded greater equality, an extension of suffrage and religious freedom. Their symbol was a sea-green ribbon. The Levellers were a force in English politics ~~only~~ from 1646 to ~~1949~~. The green ribbon, however, lived on as name for a Whig club.		Faction of left-wing democrats during the [[English Civil Wars]]. They demanded greater equality, an extension of the suffrage and religious freedom. Their symbol was a sea-green ribbon. The Levellers were a force in English politics from 1646 to 1649. The green ribbon, however, lived on as name for a Whig club and as sign of sympathy for the [[Whigs]].

	==Origins==		==Origins==
	The Levellers are often seen as [[Proto-Socialism\|proto-socialist]]. [[John Lilburne]] was one of the earliest Levellers. He distributed pamphlets in which he accused members of parliament of living comfortable lives while soldiers and other ordinary ~~citizens~~ lived under the harsh conditions of the [[Civil War]]. Another of the early Levellers was [[Richard Overton]]. In 1646, while in prison he wrote ''An arrow against all tyrants..''.		The Levellers are often seen as [[Proto-Socialism\|proto-socialist]]. [[John Lilburne]] was one of the earliest Levellers. He distributed pamphlets in which he accused members of parliament of living comfortable lives while soldiers and other ordinary people lived under the harsh conditions of the [[Civil War]]. Another of the early Levellers was [[Richard Overton]]. In 1646, while in prison he wrote ''An arrow against all tyrants''.

	~~==New Model Army==~~		Also, common soldiers in the [[New Model Army]] elected so-called "agitators" to represent them. A group of these drew the ''Agreement of the People''. This document outlined a future direction of the country which directly contradicted the ''Heads of Proposal'' previously agreed upon by the Army leadership. Most of the differences were on the question of who would be allowed to vote, and under which terms parliament could rule. There was a heated discussion of the different options and positions in the [[Putney Debates]] (1647) (whose transcript encapsulates the tense atmosphere of the "revolt within the revolution").
	Also, common soldiers in the [[New Model Army]] elected so-called "~~Agitators~~" to represent them. A group of these drew the ''Agreement of the People''. This document outlined a future direction of the country which directly contradicted the ''Heads of Proposal'' previously agreed upon by the Army leadership. Most of the differences were on the question of who would be allowed to vote, and under which terms parliament could rule.

	~~===Suppression===~~
	The ideas of the Levellers soon got strong support among the common soldiers of the New Model Army. However, fearing for their privileged positions, Army commanders decided to declare the ''Heads of Proposal'' as the official army proposal for the future of the country. In [[Pride's Purge]] in December 1648, an army led by Thomas Pride seized control over parliament, and excluded all members who did not agree with the Army leaders. The much smaller parliament became known as [[Rump Parliament]].		The ideas of the Levellers soon got strong support among the common soldiers of the New Model Army. However, fearing for their privileged positions, Army commanders decided to declare the ''Heads of Proposal'' as the official army proposal for the future of the country. In [[Pride's Purge]] in December 1648, an army led by Thomas Pride seized control over parliament, and excluded all members who did not agree with the Army leaders. The much smaller parliament became known as [[Rump Parliament]].

			==Suppression==
	During the course of 1648 and 1649 again and again support for the Levellers reignited in different Army regiments, in some cases even going so far as to refuse to serve until the Levellers' demands were fulfilled. Senior officers in all cases either dismissed those soldiers from the Army, or even declared a mutiny and had other regiments imprison them.		During the course of 1648 and 1649 again and again support for the Levellers reignited in different Army regiments, in some cases even going so far as to refuse to serve until the Levellers' demands were fulfilled. Senior officers in all cases either dismissed those soldiers from the Army, or even declared a mutiny and had other regiments imprison them.

Pankratz at 08:11, 21 July 2009

2009-07-21T08:11:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:11, 21 July 2009
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	The '''Levellers''' were a faction of left-wing democrats during the [[English Civil Wars]]. They demanded greater equality, an extension of suffrage and religious freedom. Their symbol was a sea-green ribbon. The Levellers were a force in English politics only from 1646 to 1949.		The '''Levellers''' were a faction of left-wing democrats during the [[English Civil Wars]]. They demanded greater equality, an extension of suffrage and religious freedom. Their symbol was a sea-green ribbon. The Levellers were a force in English politics only from 1646 to 1949. The green ribbon, however, lived on as name for a Whig club.

	==Origins==		==Origins==
	~~''For the context in which the~~ Levellers ~~appeared see~~ [[Proto-Socialism]]~~''<br />~~		The Levellers are often seen as [[Proto-Socialism\|proto-socialist]]. [[John Lilburne]] was one of the earliest Levellers. He distributed pamphlets in which he accused members of parliament of living comfortable lives while soldiers and other ordinary citizens lived under the harsh conditions of the [[Civil War]]. Another of the early Levellers was [[Richard Overton]]. In 1646, while in prison he wrote ''An arrow against all tyrants..''.
	[[John Lilburne]] was one of the earliest Levellers. He distributed pamphlets in which he accused members of parliament of living comfortable lives while soldiers and other ordinary citizens lived under the harsh conditions of the [[Civil War]]. Another of the early Levellers was [[Richard Overton]]. In 1646, while in prison he wrote ''An arrow against all ~~tyrantss~~..''.

	==New Model Army==		==New Model Army==
	Also, common soldiers in the [[New Model Army]] elected so-called "Agitators" to represent them. A group of these drew the ''Agreement of the People''. This document outlined a future direction of the country which directly contradicted the ''Heads of Proposal'' previously agreed upon by the Army leadership. Most of the differences were on question of who would be allowed to vote, and under which terms parliament could rule.		Also, common soldiers in the [[New Model Army]] elected so-called "Agitators" to represent them. A group of these drew the ''Agreement of the People''. This document outlined a future direction of the country which directly contradicted the ''Heads of Proposal'' previously agreed upon by the Army leadership. Most of the differences were on the question of who would be allowed to vote, and under which terms parliament could rule.

	===Suppression===		===Suppression===
	The ideas of the Levellers soon got strong support among the common soldiers of the New Model Army. However, fearing for their privileged positions, Army commanders decided to declare the ''Heads of Proposal'' as the official army proposal for the future of the country. In [[Pride's Purge]] in December 1648, an army led by Thomas Pride seized control over parliament, and excluded all members who did not agree with the Army leaders. The much smaller parliament became known as [[Rump Parliament]].		The ideas of the Levellers soon got strong support among the common soldiers of the New Model Army. However, fearing for their privileged positions, Army commanders decided to declare the ''Heads of Proposal'' as the official army proposal for the future of the country. In [[Pride's Purge]] in December 1648, an army led by Thomas Pride seized control over parliament, and excluded all members who did not agree with the Army leaders. The much smaller parliament became known as [[Rump Parliament]].

	During the course of 1648 and 1649 again and again support for the Levellers reignited in different Army regiments, in some cases even going so far as to refuse to serve until the Levellers demands were fulfilled. Senior officers in all cases either dismissed those soldiers from the Army, or even declared a mutiny and had other regiments imprison them.		During the course of 1648 and 1649 again and again support for the Levellers reignited in different Army regiments, in some cases even going so far as to refuse to serve until the Levellers' demands were fulfilled. Senior officers in all cases either dismissed those soldiers from the Army, or even declared a mutiny and had other regiments imprison them.

	Seen as a threat to the power of the upper classes and therefore the unity of the country, [[John Lilburne]], William Walwyn, Thomas Prince, and [[Richard Overton]], the major leaders of the Levellers, were imprisoned in May 1649. This and the putdown of the [[Banbury mutiny]], where 400 soldiers demanding higher pay and the realisation of Leveller ideas were attacked, imprisoned and executed by [[Oliver Cromwell]]s forces, marked the end of the Levellers as a force in English politics.		Seen as a threat to the power of the upper classes and therefore the unity of the country, [[John Lilburne]], William Walwyn, Thomas Prince, and [[Richard Overton]], the major leaders of the Levellers, were imprisoned in May 1649. This and the putdown of the [[Banbury mutiny]], where 400 soldiers demanding higher pay and the realisation of Leveller ideas were attacked, imprisoned and executed by [[Oliver Cromwell]]'s forces, marked the end of the Levellers as a force in English politics.

	==See also==		==See also==
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	* Sharp, Andrew (ed). ''The English Levellers.'' Cambridge: CUP, 1998.		* Sharp, Andrew (ed). ''The English Levellers.'' Cambridge: CUP, 1998.
	* Mendle, Michael (ed). ''The Putney Debates of 1647: The Army, the Levellers, and the English State.'' Cambridge: CUP, 2001		* Mendle, Michael (ed). ''The Putney Debates of 1647: The Army, the Levellers, and the English State.'' Cambridge: CUP, 2001
	* Lingard, John. "The Commonwealth" ''A history of England from the first invasion of the Romans to the accession of William & Mary in 1688~~. By John Lingard~~.'' Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Library, 2005.		* Lingard, John. "The Commonwealth" ''A history of England from the first invasion of the Romans to the accession of William & Mary in 1688.'' Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Library, 2005.
	* Coward, Barry. ''A ~~companion~~ to Stuart Britain.'' Oxford: Blackwell, 2003.		* Coward, Barry. ''A Companion to Stuart Britain.'' Oxford: Blackwell, 2003.

	===Weblinks===		===Weblinks===

Daniel at 21:26, 17 July 2009

2009-07-17T21:26:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:26, 17 July 2009
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	==Origins==		==Origins==
	''For the context in which the Levellers appeared see [[Proto-Socialism]]''<br />		''For the context in which the Levellers appeared see [[Proto-Socialism]]''<br />
	[[John Lilburne]] was one of the earliest Levellers. He distributed pamphlets in which he accused members of parliament of living comfortable lives while soldiers and other ordinary citizens lived under the harsh conditions of the [[Civil War]]. In 1646, while in prison he wrote ''An arrow against all tyrantss..''.		[[John Lilburne]] was one of the earliest Levellers. He distributed pamphlets in which he accused members of parliament of living comfortable lives while soldiers and other ordinary citizens lived under the harsh conditions of the [[Civil War]]. Another of the early Levellers was [[Richard Overton]]. In 1646, while in prison he wrote ''An arrow against all tyrantss..''.

	==New Model Army==		==New Model Army==

Daniel at 21:24, 17 July 2009

2009-07-17T21:24:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:24, 17 July 2009
Line 3:		Line 3:
	==Origins==		==Origins==
	''For the context in which the Levellers appeared see [[Proto-Socialism]]''<br />		''For the context in which the Levellers appeared see [[Proto-Socialism]]''<br />
	John Lilburne was one of the earliest Levellers. He distributed pamphlets in which he accused members of parliament of living comfortable lives while soldiers and other ordinary citizens lived under the harsh conditions of the [[Civil War]]. In 1646, while in prison he wrote ''An arrow against all tyrantss..''.		[[John Lilburne]] was one of the earliest Levellers. He distributed pamphlets in which he accused members of parliament of living comfortable lives while soldiers and other ordinary citizens lived under the harsh conditions of the [[Civil War]]. In 1646, while in prison he wrote ''An arrow against all tyrantss..''.

	==New Model Army==		==New Model Army==
	Also, common soldiers in the New Model Army elected so-called "Agitators" to represent them. A group of these drew the ''Agreement of the People''. This document outlined a future direction of the country which directly contradicted the ''Heads of Proposal'' previously agreed upon by the Army leadership. Most of the differences were on question of who would be allowed to vote, and under which terms parliament could rule.		Also, common soldiers in the [[New Model Army]] elected so-called "Agitators" to represent them. A group of these drew the ''Agreement of the People''. This document outlined a future direction of the country which directly contradicted the ''Heads of Proposal'' previously agreed upon by the Army leadership. Most of the differences were on question of who would be allowed to vote, and under which terms parliament could rule.

	===Suppression===		===Suppression===
Line 13:		Line 13:
	During the course of 1648 and 1649 again and again support for the Levellers reignited in different Army regiments, in some cases even going so far as to refuse to serve until the Levellers demands were fulfilled. Senior officers in all cases either dismissed those soldiers from the Army, or even declared a mutiny and had other regiments imprison them.		During the course of 1648 and 1649 again and again support for the Levellers reignited in different Army regiments, in some cases even going so far as to refuse to serve until the Levellers demands were fulfilled. Senior officers in all cases either dismissed those soldiers from the Army, or even declared a mutiny and had other regiments imprison them.

	Seen as a threat to the power of the upper classes and therefore the unity of the country, John Lilburne, William Walwyn, Thomas Prince, and Richard Overton, the major leaders of the Levellers, were imprisoned in May 1649. This and the putdown of the Banbury mutiny, where 400 soldiers demanding higher pay and the realisation of Leveller ideas were attacked, imprisoned and executed by Oliver ~~Cromwells~~ forces, marked the end of the Levellers as a force in English politics.		Seen as a threat to the power of the upper classes and therefore the unity of the country, [[John Lilburne]], William Walwyn, Thomas Prince, and [[Richard Overton]], the major leaders of the Levellers, were imprisoned in May 1649. This and the putdown of the [[Banbury mutiny]], where 400 soldiers demanding higher pay and the realisation of Leveller ideas were attacked, imprisoned and executed by [[Oliver Cromwell]]s forces, marked the end of the Levellers as a force in English politics.

	==See also==		==See also==

Daniel at 21:06, 17 July 2009

2009-07-17T21:06:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:06, 17 July 2009
Line 2:		Line 2:

	==Origins==		==Origins==
	''For the context in which the Levellers appeared see [[Proto-Socialism]]''		''For the context in which the Levellers appeared see [[Proto-Socialism]]''<br />
	John Lilburne was one of the earliest Levellers. He distributed pamphlets in which he accused members of parliament of living comfortable lives while soldiers and other ordinary citizens lived under the harsh conditions of the [[Civil War]]. In 1646, while in prison he wrote ''An arrow against all tyrantss..''.		John Lilburne was one of the earliest Levellers. He distributed pamphlets in which he accused members of parliament of living comfortable lives while soldiers and other ordinary citizens lived under the harsh conditions of the [[Civil War]]. In 1646, while in prison he wrote ''An arrow against all tyrantss..''.

Daniel at 21:06, 17 July 2009

2009-07-17T21:06:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:06, 17 July 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
	The '''Levellers''' were a faction of left-wing democrats during the [[English Civil Wars]]. They demanded greater equality, an extension of suffrage and religious freedom ~~and are thus sometimes seen as [[Proto-Socialism\|Proto-Socialists]]~~. Their symbol was a sea-green ribbon. The Levellers were a force in English politics only from 1646 to 1949.		The '''Levellers''' were a faction of left-wing democrats during the [[English Civil Wars]]. They demanded greater equality, an extension of suffrage and religious freedom. Their symbol was a sea-green ribbon. The Levellers were a force in English politics only from 1646 to 1949.

	==Origins==		==Origins==
			''For the context in which the Levellers appeared see [[Proto-Socialism]]''
	John Lilburne was one of the earliest Levellers. He distributed pamphlets in which he accused members of parliament of living comfortable lives while soldiers and other ordinary citizens lived under the harsh conditions of the [[Civil War]]. In 1646, while in prison he wrote ''An arrow against all tyrantss..''.		John Lilburne was one of the earliest Levellers. He distributed pamphlets in which he accused members of parliament of living comfortable lives while soldiers and other ordinary citizens lived under the harsh conditions of the [[Civil War]]. In 1646, while in prison he wrote ''An arrow against all tyrantss..''.

Daniel at 20:48, 17 July 2009

2009-07-17T20:48:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:48, 17 July 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
	The '''Levellers''' were a faction of left-wing democrats during the [[English Civil Wars]]. They demanded equality, an extension of suffrage and religious freedom. Their symbol was a sea-green ribbon. The Levellers were a force in English politics only from 1646 to 1949.		The '''Levellers''' were a faction of left-wing democrats during the [[English Civil Wars]]. They demanded greater equality, an extension of suffrage and religious freedom and are thus sometimes seen as [[Proto-Socialism\|Proto-Socialists]]. Their symbol was a sea-green ribbon. The Levellers were a force in English politics only from 1646 to 1949.

	==Origins==		==Origins==

Daniel at 17:24, 17 July 2009

2009-07-17T17:24:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:24, 17 July 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
	The '''Levellers''' were a faction of left-wing democrats during the [[English Civil Wars]]. They demanded equality, an extension of suffrage and religious freedom. Their symbol was a sea-green ribbon. The Levellers were a force in English politics only from 1646 to ~~1950, when, in [[Pride's purge]] all their supporters were removed from parliament~~.		The '''Levellers''' were a faction of left-wing democrats during the [[English Civil Wars]]. They demanded equality, an extension of suffrage and religious freedom. Their symbol was a sea-green ribbon. The Levellers were a force in English politics only from 1646 to 1949.

	==Origins==		==Origins==

Daniel: /* Suppression */

2009-07-17T17:23:49Z

Suppression

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:23, 17 July 2009
Line 8:		Line 8:

	===Suppression===		===Suppression===
	The ideas of the Levellers soon got strong support among the common soldiers of the New Model Army. However, fearing for their privileged positions, Army commanders decided to declare the ''Heads of Proposal'' as the official army proposal for the future of the country. During the course of 1648 and 1649 again and again support for the Levellers reignited in different Army regiments, in some cases even going so far as to refuse to serve until the Levellers demands were fulfilled. Senior officers in all cases either dismissed those soldiers from the Army, or even declared a mutiny and had other regiments imprison them.		The ideas of the Levellers soon got strong support among the common soldiers of the New Model Army. However, fearing for their privileged positions, Army commanders decided to declare the ''Heads of Proposal'' as the official army proposal for the future of the country. In [[Pride's Purge]] in December 1648, an army led by Thomas Pride seized control over parliament, and excluded all members who did not agree with the Army leaders. The much smaller parliament became known as [[Rump Parliament]].

			During the course of 1648 and 1649 again and again support for the Levellers reignited in different Army regiments, in some cases even going so far as to refuse to serve until the Levellers demands were fulfilled. Senior officers in all cases either dismissed those soldiers from the Army, or even declared a mutiny and had other regiments imprison them.

	Seen as a threat to the power of the upper classes and therefore the unity of the country, John Lilburne, William Walwyn, Thomas Prince, and Richard Overton, the major leaders of the Levellers, were imprisoned in May 1649. This and the putdown of the Banbury mutiny, where 400 soldiers demanding higher pay and the realisation of Leveller ideas were attacked, imprisoned and executed by Oliver Cromwells forces, marked the end of the Levellers as a force in English politics.		Seen as a threat to the power of the upper classes and therefore the unity of the country, John Lilburne, William Walwyn, Thomas Prince, and Richard Overton, the major leaders of the Levellers, were imprisoned in May 1649. This and the putdown of the Banbury mutiny, where 400 soldiers demanding higher pay and the realisation of Leveller ideas were attacked, imprisoned and executed by Oliver Cromwells forces, marked the end of the Levellers as a force in English politics.

Daniel: /* Primary Sources */

2009-07-17T17:21:56Z

Primary Sources

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:21, 17 July 2009
Line 19:		Line 19:
	* Anonymous. ''To the right honovrable the Commons of England in Parliament assembled. The humble Petition of Thousands wel-affected persons inhabiting the City of London, Westminster, the Borough of Southwark Hamblets, and places adjacent.'' London: Private printing, 1648. [http://www.bilderberg.org/land/petition.htm Online Version]		* Anonymous. ''To the right honovrable the Commons of England in Parliament assembled. The humble Petition of Thousands wel-affected persons inhabiting the City of London, Westminster, the Borough of Southwark Hamblets, and places adjacent.'' London: Private printing, 1648. [http://www.bilderberg.org/land/petition.htm Online Version]
	* Anonymous. ''An Agreement of the People of England, and the places therewith incorporated, for a secure and present peace, upon grounds of common right, freedom and safety.'' London: Private printing, 1649. [http://www.constitution.org/eng/conpur081.htm Online Version]		* Anonymous. ''An Agreement of the People of England, and the places therewith incorporated, for a secure and present peace, upon grounds of common right, freedom and safety.'' London: Private printing, 1649. [http://www.constitution.org/eng/conpur081.htm Online Version]
			* Anonymous. ''An Agreement of the People for a firm and present peace upon grounds of common right.'' Unknown: Private printin, 1647. [http://www.constitution.org/eng/conpur074.htm Online Version]

	==References==		==References==