So there I was, minding my own business and quietly reading the book reviews in 'The Speccie', when I came across a review of a biography of John Lilburne (1614 – 29 August 1657) written by Michael Braddick. Well, the name rang a very faint bell so I read the review and then, intrigued, I looked up Master Lilburne's Wiki entry. Crikey, what a man, or possibly, what a total pain in the arse! And all you 'Yankee-doodles' should check him out because he had a considerable influence on your constitution and his writings have been quoted at the Supreme Court!
I will not attempt to summarise his life, either buy Mr. Braddick's book or read his Wiki entry! You will soon learn that Lilburne was a non-stop agitator, forever clashing with 'authority, be it the royal government of Charles I or the Republican rule of Oliver Cromwell. Like a nagging fishwife, he never stopped fighting for the rights of individuals against the supposed rights of governments. Needless to say, he suffered for his love of liberty and his jail-time was extensive and once it included being whipped across his naked back as he was dragged through the streets of London behind a cart. But he never gave in!
I imagine he was not easy man to like but today we owe him - big time!
Heavens! Both a Puritan and a Quaker. He was undoubtedly as much a royal, self-righteous pain in the ass as our Supreme Court.
Posted by: Bob | Saturday, 01 September 2018 at 16:05