Putney Debates

29Oct07

One thing before I go…

This year is the 340th anniversary of the 1647 Putney Debates; the remarkable experiment in open political debate conducted by the Army. BBC History magazine had some articles devoted to it, but otherwise it’s gone largely unnoticed.

A new exhibition has opened in the church where the debates took place- see the link above. Something I hope to go and see.

The most famous words from the debates are prominently displayed:-

“I think that the poorest he that is in England hath a life to live, as the greatest he” 

Would you get such clear, impassioned political debate today?


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3 Responses to “Putney Debates”  

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  1. 1 debby raven on October 29, 2007 said:

    Putney Debates just won competition by Guardian for a little known historical event meriting more commemoration (or something) and are the topic of large feature in Guardian or Observer (they’re interchangeable aren’t they) fri, sat or sun just gone.

  2. 2 Pete on October 29, 2007 said:

    Thanks for that. i don’t get the guardian/observer every week.

  3. 3 Pete on October 29, 2007 said:

    Just checked last week’s Guardian, and the article was in G2 on Friday26th.

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