Anyone who has studied the history of the English Civil War of the mid-17th century will have heard of the Levellers. These radicals, whose ideas about the world were shaped by their version of democratic Christianity, are famous in England. Richard Overton was just one of the many people who were associated with this movement.
Overton himself found fame as a writer of tracts and pamphlets, which were produced in great numbers in the feverish political atmosphere of the late 1640s. The period around the English Civil War, which spread to Scotland and Ireland during the 1640s, was a controversial and stormy period in Britain, which saw the execution of King Charles I, in 1649, and the rise to power of Oliver Cromwell. In this febrile atmosphere, the Levellers became well-known in 1648 and 1649.
By 1650, the influence of the Levellers had diminished to almost nothing, but they are far from forgotten today in England, and further afield, especially among political groups on the left of the spectrum. In many ways, the Levellers were one of the world's first political parties, wearing a sea-green ribbon to show their loyalties, and campaigning with petitions and pamphlets. Overton played a prominent role in producing many of these.
The word 'Leveller' was first heard in the early years of the 17th century, when rural rebels who 'levelled' hedges in protest against enclosures were disparaged with the term. In the 1640s, the term Leveller came to be associated with a New Model Army faction who were accused of planning the assassination of Charles I. Richard Overton, John Lilburne and William Walwyn were among the most prominent of the people who were known as Levellers.
Many of the political demands made by the Levellers have been incorporated into the political systems of countries all over the world now, but at the time they seemed very radical. The Levellers wanted to see all adult males given the vote, for Parliament to be elected every two years, the abolition of imprisonment to punish debtors, and for measures to be put in place to eliminate parliamentary corruption. Religious toleration, a vital issue in the 17th century, was also one of their principles.
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.
Despite some elements in the Army mutinying in support of them, the Levellers were eventually crushed by the new, Parliamentarian government. Several mutineers were killed, and leaders such as Overton, Walwyn and Lilburne imprisoned. Many of their demands would later become the foundations of free societies across the world.
The eventual fate of Richard Overton is obscure, though he is mentioned in some documents again over the next two decades after the Levellers' demise. He spent some time in prison, and abroad. He is also believed to have been a spy for Cromwell, and later Charles II.
Overton himself found fame as a writer of tracts and pamphlets, which were produced in great numbers in the feverish political atmosphere of the late 1640s. The period around the English Civil War, which spread to Scotland and Ireland during the 1640s, was a controversial and stormy period in Britain, which saw the execution of King Charles I, in 1649, and the rise to power of Oliver Cromwell. In this febrile atmosphere, the Levellers became well-known in 1648 and 1649.
By 1650, the influence of the Levellers had diminished to almost nothing, but they are far from forgotten today in England, and further afield, especially among political groups on the left of the spectrum. In many ways, the Levellers were one of the world's first political parties, wearing a sea-green ribbon to show their loyalties, and campaigning with petitions and pamphlets. Overton played a prominent role in producing many of these.
The word 'Leveller' was first heard in the early years of the 17th century, when rural rebels who 'levelled' hedges in protest against enclosures were disparaged with the term. In the 1640s, the term Leveller came to be associated with a New Model Army faction who were accused of planning the assassination of Charles I. Richard Overton, John Lilburne and William Walwyn were among the most prominent of the people who were known as Levellers.
Many of the political demands made by the Levellers have been incorporated into the political systems of countries all over the world now, but at the time they seemed very radical. The Levellers wanted to see all adult males given the vote, for Parliament to be elected every two years, the abolition of imprisonment to punish debtors, and for measures to be put in place to eliminate parliamentary corruption. Religious toleration, a vital issue in the 17th century, was also one of their principles.
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.
Despite some elements in the Army mutinying in support of them, the Levellers were eventually crushed by the new, Parliamentarian government. Several mutineers were killed, and leaders such as Overton, Walwyn and Lilburne imprisoned. Many of their demands would later become the foundations of free societies across the world.
The eventual fate of Richard Overton is obscure, though he is mentioned in some documents again over the next two decades after the Levellers' demise. He spent some time in prison, and abroad. He is also believed to have been a spy for Cromwell, and later Charles II.
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.rickoverton.net for more helpful information about Why Are Richard Overton And The Levellers Famous
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét