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Before the civil War, enclosure riots had been taking place all over England, as peasents were forced from or cheated out of their place in the countryside, largely by a new class of entepreneurs. The Rioters aimed to `level the land': to pull down the hedges and fences excluding them from their commons and open field systems. Many of them believed the Parliamentary army would address their complaints ... George Monbiot. |
There has been an increasing interest recently, in the 17th century exploits of the group of radical squatter - communists know as `The Levellers' and `The Diggers'. Partly the this is the result of the new wave of `DIY' protest and resistance, which has prompted comparisons between today's young (and not so young!) demonstators and the diggers. Self-empowerment, direct action. Partly also, it has come about because of a cultural shift which is leading people to look deep into the roots of English, as opposed to British history.
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Land reform has become an issue again. THEY still OWN it all (so not much change there then!).
The Diggers were a movement of only a few hundred. Their experiment and community on St.Georges' Hill lasted little more than a year. But their courage and non-violence and resiliance will surely shine through wherever people are resisting.
"The Earth (which was made to be a common treasury of relief for all, both beasts and man) was hedged into enclosures & is bought and sold and kept in the hands of a few"True Levellers Standard, Gerrard Winstanley 1649
The True Levellers Standard Advanced --
Part Two
The Law of Freedom - Gerrard Winstanley
World Turned Upside Down: The Diggers Song.
The Diggers 350 yr anniversary
Alan Lodge / Tash: ... tash@gn.apc.org