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Sea Green Singers - We
are all under the stars - Reading Text on Levellers Putney
debates - |
The Putney Debates were a series
of discussions between factions of the New Model Army and the Levellers
concerning a new constitution for England. The debates were held at
the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Putney, Surrey, in October and November
1647. The radicals wanted a constitution based upon manhood suffrage ("one man, one vote"), biennial Parliaments and a re-organisation of parliamentary constituencies. Authority was to be vested in the House of Commons rather than the King and Lords. Certain "native rights" were declared sacrosanct for all Englishmen: freedom of conscience, freedom from impressment into the armed forces and equality before the law. Among those present at Putney:were Lieutenant-General Cromwell,
Ireton. . The debates began on 28 October 1647. For three days, the proceedings were transcribed verbatim by the secretary William Clarke and a team of stenographers. The minutes were lost until 1890 when they were rediscovered at the library of Worcester College, Oxford, Text - 1. [said before singing starts] - For really I think that
the poorest he that is in England hath a life to live, as the greatest
he; 4. If writings be true there have been many scufflings between the
honest men of England and those that have tyrannized over them; and
if it be true what I have read, there is none of those just and equitable
laws that the people of England are born to, but are entrenchments on
the once enjoyed privileges of their rulers altogether. [restate first para without music.] |