The forgotten radicals of the English Civil War | The Levellers

The Levellers were one of multiple groups seeking to reform politics during the power vacuum of the English Civil War in the 17th century. Their campaigning tactics and participation in the Putney Debates of 1647 sought to push forward radical new ideas, many of which we'd recognise today as basic democratic freedoms. But first, they had to break through against the dictatorial tendencies of Oliver Cromwell.
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(Note: the 'True' Levellers / Diggers were a subgroup of the Radical movement, who believed in economic equality)
✊ Levellers Day - put it in your calendar!
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[@RadicalHistory]

☕ Support the channel by buying us a tea/coffee? www.buymeacoffee.com/RadicalHistory 👨 True Levellers tea towel: radicalteatowel.co.uk/tea-towels/true-levellers-tea-towel Comments welcome! What did you think of the new style without music?

[@The_Bookman]

Literally came here because I saw the tea towel 10 mins ago and realised I needed to know a bit more about these folk. XD

[@jujutrini8412]

The Levellers and The Chartists make me proud to be British!

[@c_d5501]

I’m studying the levellers as part of a Stuart Britain module at A Level, what’s also really interesting about them is their role in creating the radical atmosphere in parliament that led to Charles I’s execution. Loved the video!!! 😁

[@RadicalHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it Cate! I seem to remember when we did the research for this, we found that John Lilburne was against the execution (even though he also opposed Charles I) - so there were definitely different views at the time. It was certainly an exciting period of a 'power vacuum' in English history - for the first time there was some urgency to the question of: what will replace the monarchy? Good luck with your studies!

[@roblyndon5267]

May I ask you what board you did the exam with? I'm thinking about doing a history A level in my spare time, but definitely want it to include the Civil War period.

[@jaynemcleankremer8073]

You know it’s time to tell the history of the people when everyone around you relates to lords and nights and queens instead of their servants, and tenants, and everyone thinks being common is a bad thing. We need to hear more of our stories, so we understand how we got to where we are today. I don’t suppose you take request, but if you would consider the Clarion cycling club. I think I would be relevant to show their proud radical roots at this time in their history. I am really pleased to have found Radical History.

[@RadicalHistory]

Were these related to the 'Clarion Ramblers' of the early 20th century by any chance?

[@jaynemcleankremer8073]

They had many branches including ramblers, photographs and debating societies. They believed in mutual improvement and opportunities for everyone to partake in the benefits of society. A society that was built by all, yet was closed to many because of means and birth. They cycled to fight fascist in Spain and spread the radical ideas of equity and equality from the seats of their bicycles. Recently they voted to remove socialism from their fellowship. I thought it was quite a sad end to a proud radical history.

[@RadicalHistory]

@@jaynemcleankremer8073 Sounds like they'd be worth a video at some point!

[@upthegills27]

Brilliantly summed up. I have always been a 'fan' of the Levellers and when I get the urge I fly a Levellers flag. At the moment I fly the flag of Ukraine. Good job - Many thanks

[@judyt4087]

Thank you for the video, the Levellers should be better known nationwide, but I guess it's another case of winners writing the history.

[@RadicalHistory]

Yes it's amazing that more people haven't heard of them, even though the Civil War is well covered!

[@joanhuffman2166]

I know lately I've heard a lot of criticism of Oliver Cromwell, but I also heard he was good to Jews in an age when Jew hatred was everywhere. He permitted them to settle in England for the first time since Edward I expelled them.

[@user-lg1gw7lk4g]

So fascinating. I'm doing research on the Indonesian revolution and there too army politics constitute a KEY site of co-optation of radical/social revolutionary sentiment.

[@zebj16]

Great video, some things I didn't know about the Levellers. However, I think you should have included the True Levellers aka the Diggers & Gerrard Winstanley - as they actually established a "communist" commune in Surrey of all places (now golf course for multimillionaires). Anyway, like the informative videos - keep them under 15 minutes if you can 🏴

[@RadicalHistory]

Thanks Zeb! Glad you enjoyed. We did consider mentioning the True Levellers, but we didn't feel we had enough to add about them to avoid pulling us away from the main thrust of the story. If there's a good resource out there profiling them in more detail, perhaps we could do a future video on them specifically though!

[@Aldarionz9]

if its a millionaire golf course,sounds like the capitalists really took over that commune.

[@qkranarchist3015]

As a Quaker, I a you lifting up True Levelers, Diggers and Levelers. ❤

[@NoLegalPlunder]

I've always argued that the great John Lilburne was one of the world's first libertarians.

[@mangusto765]

Parabéns, Professor. Sou brasileiro, advogado há 22 anos, mas estudo com empenho para me tornar um Professor de História em meu país. Sua aula foi excelente. Eu me inscrevi no canal e deixei meu like. Tenho certeza que aprenderei muito com o Senhor. Abraço fraterno do Brasil.

[@kevthedruid]

whats not to like, 2 of the best bands of the 90's the levelers and new model army, lol great content as usual

[@terryelizabeth2841]

I’m glad you’re here. There’s a lot of information that we all need to know that you are providing.

[@skathesoul]

Great stuff. Thank you!

[@LisaRossetti]

Thank you for providing our missing People's History!

[@RadicalHistory]

You're welcome, Lisa!

[@eliyahubenysrael6272]

Really appreciate the history, fascinating!

[@Mulvers]

Great video, learned so much. Thank you!

[@adamellis3093]

Anyone else here because they were listening to levelllers? Great video bud.

[@oakashthorn5714]

Haha yes...

[@vespasianalgernon5087]

Who forgot them? Leveller's day is celebrated every year

[@kevthedruid]

that was really informative, thanks,

[@EvGen1603]

Thank you

[@paulhand5015]

seems excellently balanced

[@RadicalHistory]

Thank you Paul!

[@Alex-ml8dj]

Free born John I think he was called. Gonna try n get down to Burford in May.

[@patrickrollins2710]

Very cool! I'll be doing an independent research project at Oxford on the Levellers when I study abroad there next semester. Are there any historical sites or special leveller-related things in museums in the area?

[@RadicalHistory]

Hi Patrick - Burford Church has a plaque where various rebels were shot (I refer to it towards the end of my video), and if you're around in May, then you must attend Levellers Day! levellersday.wordpress.com/

[@kierand9410]

What were you researching and can you share your findings?

[@colinmcewen9530]

there were groups in the army more redical than them such as the sea greens and the diggers

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Once again, the Conservative Reformer faction had the better, more practical ideas for the time.

[@c.philipmckenzie]

Slowwwwww down.

[@scottjones5455]

Why is there an ad for Trump Gold connected to this video? I wanted to share it but not if the Trump ad is connected. He is a wannabe dictator.