description Gerrard Winstanley Overview
Gerrard Winstanley was an English Protestant religious reformer and political activist who founded the Diggers, also known as the True Levellers. In 1649, he and his followers occupied common lands in Surrey, notably St George's Hill, to establish egalitarian farming communities that challenged private property laws. Winstanley outlined his radical socio-economic vision in several pamphlets during the English Commonwealth period.
help Gerrard Winstanley FAQ
Who was Gerrard Winstanley?
Gerrard Winstanley was an English Protestant religious reformer and political activist. He is best known as the founder and leading voice of the Diggers, also called the True Levellers.
What were the Diggers trying to do?
The Diggers sought to establish egalitarian farming communities on common land. Their program challenged private control of land and argued for shared cultivation by ordinary people.
What happened at St George's Hill in 1649?
In 1649, Winstanley and his followers occupied common land at St George's Hill in Surrey. They attempted to turn the site into a practical example of communal farming and social equality.
Why are the Diggers also called the True Levellers?
The name True Levellers emphasized their belief that social equality required access to land, not only changes in political representation. Winstanley's movement used communal cultivation to express that religious and political argument.
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