The Levellers

Introduction

Exploring the environment of 17th century Britain is never an easy task. With different countries, religions and individuals vying for power, it is a more complex situation than any political arena we are usually familiar with. Although my topic relates to the Levellers party and its subsequent demise, it is impossible to understand their rise without explaining the circumstances which helped to create them. Firstly I must give a brief outline as to how the British kingdom found itself in such an unstable condition. I also need to give a description of the hierarchical nature of its society so as to show where the attitudes of the Levellers came from. Only then can I speak of the party itself, its aims and beliefs, what took place and why I believe they failed to implement their ideas.
Before the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603, Britain had enjoyed a period of relative political stability. Yet over the course of less than half a century, it would find itself i...