Modern History Sourcebook:
Radical Women During the English Revolution
One of the most interesting aspects of the English Revolution of
the 17th century was that it allowed popular ideas and discontents to come to
light, and better, be published in forms that are still available.
Women's Petition (1649)
The
Humble Petition of divers well-affected women of the Cities of London and
Westminster, etc. Sheweth, that since we are assured of our creation in the
image of God, and of an interest in Christ equal unto men, as also of a
proportional share in the freedoms of this Commonwealth, we cannot but wonder
and grieve that we should appear so despicable in your eyes, as to be thought
unworthy to petition or represent our grievances to this honorable House.
Have
we not an equal interest with the men of this Nation, in those liberties and
securities contained in the Petition of Right, and the other good laws of the
land? Are any of our lives, limbs, liberties or goods to be taken from us
more than from men, but by due process of law and conviction of twelve sworn
men of the neighborhood?
And
can you imagine us to be so sottish or stupid, as not to perceive, or not to
be sensible when daily those strong defenses of our peace and welfare are
broken down, and trod under foot by force and arbitrary power?
Would
you have us keep at home in our houses, when men of such faithfulness and
integrity as the FOUR PRISONERS our friends in the Tower are fetched out of
their beds, and forced from their houses by soldiers, to the affrighting and
undoing of themselves, their wives, children and families? Are not our
husbands, ourselves, our children and families by the same rule as liable to
the like unjust cruelties as they? . . . Doth not the Petition of Right
declare that no person ought to be judged by Law Martial (except in time of
war) . . . ? And are we Christians and shall we sit still and keep at home,
while such men as have borne continual testimony against the unjustice of all
times, and unrighteousness of men, be picked out and delivered up to the
slaughter . . . ?
No....
Let it be accounted folly, presumption ... or whatsoever in us ... we will
never forsake them, nor ever cease to importune you . . for justice . . .
that we, our husbands, children, friends and servants may not be liable to be
thus abused, violated and butchered at men's wills and pleasures . . .
From
J. O'Faolain and L Martines, Not in God's Image (New York:
Harper and Row, 1973), pp. 266-267.
Some of the radical groups were the religious sects which held
that women could be preachers and ministers. Mary Cary was associated with
the "Fifth Monarchy" sect.
From Mary Cary. The New Jerusalem's Glory
And
if there be very few men that are thus furnished with the gift of the Spirit;
how few are the women! Not but that there are many godly women, many who have
indeed received the Spirit: but in how small a measure is it? how weak are
they? and how unable to prophesie? for it is that that I am speaking of,
which this text says they shall do; which yet we see not fulfilled.... But
the time is coming when this promise shall be fulfilled, and the Saints shall
be abundantly filled with the spirit; and not only men, but women shall
prophesie; not only aged men, but young men; not only superiours, but
inferiours; not only those that have University learning, but those that have
it not; even servants and handmaids..
From
M. Cary, The New
Jerusalem's Glory (London, 1656), p. 238.
This
text is part of the
Internet Modern History Sourcebook. The Sourcebook is a collection of public domain and
copy-permitted texts for introductory level classes in modern European and
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(c)Paul
Halsall Aug 1997
halsall@murray.fordham.edu
