For really I think that the poorest he that is in England hath a life to live as the greatest he; and therefore truly, sir, I think it’s clear that every man that is to live under a government ought first by his own consent to put himself under that government; and I do think that the poorest man in England is not bound in a strict sense to that government that he hath not had a voice to put himself under…
– Colonel Thomas Rainsborough at the Putney Debates, London, 1647.
Come to the unveiling of the plaque to Leveller Thomas Rainsborough with Tony Benn, Councillor Rania Khan, John Rees and the Tower Regiment (Rainsborough's Regiment) of the Sealed Knot.
Tower Hamlets Council are installing a plaque to Thomas Rainsborough in St Johns Churchyard, Wapping, East London, the place of Rainsborough's burial in 1648. The event is supported by the Leveller Association and the National Civil War Centre in Newark. Rainsborough was the most senior officer in the New Model Army to support the Levellers. He spoke in defence of the Levellers Agreement of the People in the Putney Debates in 1647.He was killed by a Royalist raiding party during the siege of Pontefract castle and his funeral became a mass demonstration of the Leveller movement. It concluded at St Johns Churchyard, Wapping. Join us on Sunday 12th May to remember the life of Thomas Rainsborough at 1pm in St Johns churchyard, where Wapping High Street meets Scadrett Street, near the Town of Ramesgate pub.
Edited to add - a note from John Rees: Just a quick note to thank everyone who made the Rainsborough plaque ceremony such a great success on Sunday.
The
cameras were clicking all afternoon so there are a great series of
pictures. Many are posted on the Levellers' Association facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Levellers-Association/128792937138196?fref=ts
Please do repost and share the images (and like the facebook page!).
And you can follow @Levellers1649 on twitter here: https://twitter.com/Levellers1649
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