John Lilburne and the Levellers : Reappraising the Roots of English Radicalism 400 Years On

John Lilburne (1615-1657), or 'Freeborn John' as he was called by the London crowd, was an important political agitator during the English Revolution. He was one of the leading figures in the Levellers, the short-lived but highly influential radical sect that called for law reform, religious tolerance, extended suffrage, the rights of freeborn Englishmen, and a new form of government that was answerable to the people and underpinned by a written constitution. This edited book assesses the legacy of Lilburne and the Levellers 400 years after his birth, and features contributions by leading historians. They examine the life of Lilburne, who was often imprisoned and even tortured for his beliefs, and his role as an inspirational figure even in contemporary politics. They also assess the writings that fearlessly exposed the hypocrisy and self-serving corruption of those in power - whether King Charles I or Oliver Cromwell. They look at his contribution to political ideas, at his role as a revolutionary leader, his personal and political relations with his wife Elizabeth, his exile in the Netherlands, his late decision to become a Quaker, and his reputation after his death. This collection will be of enormous interest to academics, researchers, and readers with an interest in the English Civil War, seventeenth-century history, and the contemporary legacy of radical political tradition. "John Lilburne (1615-1657), or 'Freeborn John' as he was called by the London crowd, was an important political agitator during the English Revolution. He was one of the leading figures in The Levellers, the short-lived but highly influential radical sect that called for law reform, religious tolerance, extended suffrage, the rights of freeborn Englishmen, and a new form of government that was answerable to the people and underpinned by a written constitution. This edited book assesses the legacy of Lilburne and the Levellers 400 years after his birth, and features contributions by leading historians. They examine the life of Lilburne, who was often imprisoned and even tortured for his beliefs, and his role as an inspirational figure even in contemporary politics. They also assess the writings that fearlessly exposed the hypocrisy and self-serving corruption of those in power - whether King Charles I or Oliver Cromwell. They look at his contribution to political ideas, at his role as a revolutionary leader, his personal and political relations with his wife Elizabeth, his exile in the Netherlands, his late decision to become a Quaker, and his reputation after his death. This collection will be of enormous interest to academics, researchers, and readers with an interest in the English Civil War, 17th Century history, and the contemporary legacy of radical political tradition."--Provided by publisher John Lilburne (1615–1657), or'Freeborn John'as he was called by the London crowd, was an important political agitator during the English Revolution. He was one of the leading figures in the Levellers, the short-lived but highly influential radical sect that called for law reform, religious tolerance, extended suffrage, the rights of freeborn Englishmen, and a new form of government that was answerable to the people and underpinned by a written constitution.This edited book assesses the legacy of Lilburne and the Levellers 400 years after his birth, and features contributions by leading historians. They examine the life of Lilburne, who was often imprisoned and even tortured for his beliefs, and his role as an inspirational figure even in contemporary politics. They also assess his writings that fearlessly exposed the hypocrisy and self-serving corruption of those in power – whether King Charles I or Oliver Cromwell. They look at his contribution to political ideas, his role as a revolutionary leader, his personal and political relations with his wife Elizabeth, his exile in the Netherlands, his late decision to become a Quaker, and his reputation after his death. This collection will be of enormous interest to academics, researchers, and readers with an interest in the English Civil War, seventeenth-century history, and the contemporary legacy of radical political tradition. Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Table of contents List of Contributors Acknowledgements Introduction: John Lilburne, the Levellers, and the English Revolution Origins The meaning of war Revolution and republic 1 John Lilburne and the citizenship of ‘free-born Englishmen’ I II III IV V VI VII 2 Lilburne, toleration, and the civil state 3 Women and the Levellers: Elizabeth and John Lilburne and their associates 4 Lilburne and the law 5 John Lilburne as a revolutionary leader Lilburne’s oppositional stance Lilburne’s strategic sense Collaborative leadership Political courage Lilburne as a writer Conclusion 6 Print and principals: John Lilburne, civil war radicalism, and the Low Countries I II III IV 7 The resurrection of John Lilburne, Quaker I II III IV 8 Reborn John? The eighteenth-century afterlife of John Lilburne A seventeenth-century life ‘The great darling of the sectaries’ Post-Restoration Lilburne Lilburne the litigant Conclusion Bibliography Works by John Lilburne Primary sources Secondary sources Index Introduction: John Lilburne, the Levellers, and the English Revolution / John Rees -- John Lilburne and the citizenship of "free-born Englishmen" / Rachel Foxley -- Lilburne, toleration and the civil state / Norah Carlin -- Women and the Levellers: Elizabeth and John Lilburne and their associates / Ann Hughes -- Lilburne and the law / Geoffrey Robertson -- John Lilburne as a revolutionary leader / John Rees -- Print and principles: John Lilburne, Civil War radicalism and the Low Countries / Jason Peacey -- The resurrection of John Lilburne, Quaker / Ariel Hessayon -- Reborn John? The eighteenth century afterlife of John Lilburne / Edward Vallance