description The Putney Debates Overview
The Putney Debates were a series of discussions held at St Mary's Church in Putney over several days in late October and November 1647. Transcribed by clerk William Clarke, the debates took place between factions of the New Model Army, primarily the elected representatives known as Agitators and senior officers like Oliver Cromwell and Henry Ireton. The central dispute concerned constitutional reform and whether the vote should be extended beyond property owners to all men. They are widely recognized as a foundational text in the history of English democratic thought.
help The Putney Debates FAQ
Who were the main opposing figures in the Putney Debates?
The debates primarily featured Colonel Thomas Rainborough representing the radical Levellers, arguing for universal male suffrage, against Commissary-General Henry Ireton. Ireton was Oliver Cromwell's son-in-law and fiercely argued that voting rights should be tied to property ownership.
Where and when exactly did the Putney Debates take place?
The discussions were held over several days in late October and early November of 1647 at St Mary's Church in Putney, which is now part of southwest London. The church still stands today and features a permanent exhibition dedicated to the debates.
How do we know what was said during the Putney Debates?
The arguments and speeches from the debates were meticulously recorded in shorthand by a clerk named William Clarke. Clarke's manuscripts were later rediscovered in 1890 at Worcester College, Oxford, revealing the radical nature of the discussions to the public.
What was the 'Agreement of the People' discussed at Putney?
The 'Agreement of the People' was a constitutional manifesto drafted by the Levellers that proposed a democratic government framework and universal male suffrage. During the debates at Putney, the New Model Army's General Council intensely debated this document, though it was ultimately set aside.
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