Mutiny and Democracy

In 1647 the New Model Army spent three months based in and around the market town of Saffron Walden. The fighting of the first civil war had come to an end, and heady ideas of democracy and equality were circulating among the soldiers. Labelled by Parliament as "enemies of the state" the increasingly radical soldiers elected their own representatives - providing a practical example of democracy in action - and set up their own parallel organisation within the army. Important debates, preceeding those held later in the year at Putney, took place in the local church.

Find out what happened during the turbulent years of 1647 and 1648 at ‘Saffron Walden: Cradle of the English Revolution 1647-8’ - A Day School for the general public in the Town Hall to be held on Wednesday 16 May 2007. Speakers at the Dayschool will be: Martyn Everett on the rise of the Agitators, John Sutton & Sue Sadler on the Battle of Linton, Andrew Lacey on King Charles I and John Walter on Parson Drake, the Vicar of Radwinter.

For a copy of the programme write to the Tourist Information Centre, 1 Market Place, Saffron Walden (including an sae). Tickets £15 (Cheques should be made payable to "Saffron Walden Initiative")
Full details of events related to Saffron Walden 1647 are available on:
www.1647.org.uk