Outward forms of
religion were rejected. Even the Bible was not the Word of
God. As everything comes from Nature, so should everything
be used by all in common. These were common shared values
shared by Familists, Quakers, and others of the
period.
Contemporaries of the period often compared the Ranters and the Quakers
as being cut from the same bolt of cloth. The Quakers were generally
considered to be of slightly better quality.They both shared many of
the same basic values. Early Quakers before 1660 engaged in radical
theology of change.
Ranters and some
Quakers of the period were known to cavort in the all
together. Nudity in itself was not a manifestation of Ranter
beliefs. The shedding of outer garments by saints, holy men,
and prophets has a long biblical context. Shock value, the
rejection of worldly goods, and all men being equal in the
sight of God were common motivations to undress.
Nudity in all its
forms was considered a major societal taboo during the
period. Ranters and some Quakers paraded nude in public.
Those who shed their clothing in public were not necessarily
members of any specific sects.
The Adamites of the
early 1640's were often stereotyped in the nude. These same
iconographic images were later transferred to the Ranters by
printers of the period possible to enflame tensions of the period.
John Robin, fl. 1650-1652 was a prominent Ranter leader.
He became a stereotypical image of the period as a form of propaganda.
Ranters were alleged to have engaged in wife swapping, illicit sex,
and other wanton activities against the societal morals of the day according
to their opponents.
Laurence
Claxson (1615-1667), or better known as Laurence
Clarkson was a prominent radical of the period.
Among his many associations, he was a Ranter leader in
Cambridge. His publication: A Single Eye All Light, no
Darkness (1650) landed him in prison. His pamphlet
was ordered to be seized and burned that September. He later
converted to Muggletonianism in 1658. His publication:
The Lost sheep found ... (1660) describes his
own religious journey including those as a Ranter.
Abiezer Coppe
(1619-1672), a companion of Clarkson, and who like
Clarkson was imprisoned for acts against the public welfare,
and his own radical writings. His publications: Some
Sweet Sips of Some Spirituall Wine (1649),
and A Fiery Flying Roll (1649) landed
him in prison until 1651. Coppe had once been an active
supporter of the London Particular Baptists in the late
1640's.
Coppe's writings show
an avowed Ranter. Whether or not his writings express his
own personal points of view, or are rather a reflection of
the Ranter sect as a whole is still a matter of disagreement
among scholars. There is no denying the radical nature of
his writings, or their affect on the public.
The publication of the works of Clarkson, and Coppe in 1649-50 send
a stir throughout Parliament. The potential rise of a Ranter antinomianism
movement clearly frightened many members. The Adultery Act
of 10 May 1650 was passed by the Rump Parliament against perceived sinful
acts. The Blasphemy Act of 9 August 1650 was directed against
the Ranters, and any who held their views.
Two other Ranter
writers should also be noted: Joseph Salmon, and Jacob Bauthumley. Both writers represent slightly different points
of view on Ranterism.
Between 1650-51, the
London newspapers picked up on the Ranter movement. There
have been charges of "yellow journalism" during this period.
There was a reported incident, January of 1651, in the City
of London at Moor Lane involving wanton behavior at a local
alehouse. The subsequent arrests, examinations, and trial
were publicized in the local newspapers as Ranter being
related incidents. Interest in the Ranters generally
declined after 1652. Ranter activity reportedly continued
into the Restoration(1660).
Contemporary writings
often portrayed the Ranters as prominent group of
individuals, some with extreme views, and actions. The
strange case of one Mary Adams, fl. 1652-76
from Tillingham, Essex is an example. In 1652, she called
herself the Virgin Mary. She claimed to had conceived a
child by the Holy Ghost, which she claimed was to be the new
Savior of the World. A child was born severely disfigured
according to the reports, and died soon after while Mary was
in prison.
The actual numbers of individuals are difficult to estimate. Ranters
became prominent after the downfall of the Leveller movement in 1650.
After 1654, the sect tended to fade into the background of larger political
issues.
As a group the
Ranters may have been small in numbers, but they seem to
have made up for the difference in perceived shock and
terror values to the general public. George Fox, the Quaker
leader, indicated that many Ranters were converted to
Quakerism after the Restoration (1660).
Recent scholarly debate has called into question the actual status
of this radical group. Ranters may have been used as a propaganda tool
by other sects of the period is a recently advanced argument. [Ed.
Note. See: J. C. Davis; and, McGregor, J. F., Debate (1993) Past &
Present 140 ]
A SELECT RANTER BIBLIOGRAPHY
Primary Sources
[Anon.]
The Arraignment and Tryall with a Declaration of the
Ranters also, ... (1650) [ British Library: E.620
(3)][Thomason tracts; 95:E.630(3)] [Wing
(2nd ed.) A3748] [ESTCR206376]
[Anon.]
A Justification of the Mad Crew in their waies and
principles, or, The Madness and Weakness of God in
Man ... (1650) [ British Library: E.609
(18)]
[Anon.]
The Ranters Declaration with Their new Oath and
Protestation; ... (1650) [Thomason Tracts;
95:E.620(2)] [Wing (2nd ed.) S6087] [British
Library: E.620 (2)] [ESTCR206375]
[Anon.]
The Ranters Ranting: or, A true Relations of a sort of
People called Ranters, ... (1650)
[Anon.]
The Ranters Recantation: And their Sermon
Delivered ... [ British Library: E.620
(10)]
[Anon.] The Ranters Religion, or, A faithfull and infallible
Narrative oftheir damnable and diobolical opinions, ... (1650)
[British Library: E.619 (8)] [Thomason Tracts; 95:E.619(8)]
[Wing (2nd ed.) R253] [ESTCR206367]
[Anon.]
The Rovting of the Ranters being a full relation of
their uncivil carriages, and blasphemous words and actions
at their mad meetings, ... (1650) [British
Library: E.616 (9)][Thomason Tracts;
94:E.616(9)] [Wing (2nd ed. R2055]
[ESTCR203427]
[Anon.]
Hell broke loose, or, the notorious design of the wicked
Ranters, discovered on Sunday last at Black-Freyers.
[1651] [EEb, 1640-1700; 2430:2] [Wing
(CD-ROM, 1996) H1379] [ESTCR231010]
[Anon.] The Ranters creed being a true copie of the examinations
of a blasphemous sort of people, commonly called ranters, whose names
are herein particularised, together with the name of their pretended
Gold almighty, and their false prophet ... (1651) [EEb, 1641-1700;
1044:2] [Wing R250]
[Anon.]
The Ranters reasons resolved to nothing, or, The
fustification instread of the justification of the mad
crew... (1651) [Wing B251a]
[Anon.]
Strange Nevves fron Newgate and the Old-Baily: The
Proofs, Examinations, Declarations, Indictments,
Convictions, and confessions of I. Collins, and T. Reeve,
two of the Ranters taken in More-lane, ... (1651)
[British Library: E.622 (3)] [Thomason Tracts;
95:E.622(3)] [Wing (2nd ed.) S5897]
[ESTCR206429]
[Anon.] Strange news from Newgate, or, A relation how
the ghost of Colledge the Protestant-joyner appeared to Hone the joyner
since his condemnation being a account of the whole discourse that past
between them (1683) [EEb, 1641-1700; 802:22] [Wing S5898]
[Anon.] The Ranters Monster: Being a true Relation of
one Mary Adams, living at Tillingham in Essex, who
named herself herself the Virgin Mary(1652) [British Library: E.658
(6)] [Thomason Tracts; 101:E.658(6)] [Wing (2nd ed.)
R251] [ESTCR206673]
[Anon.]
St. Mary, Whitehapel. May 19, 1788. Sir, you are most
earnestly requested to attend the church to-morrow morning,
to elect and chuse forty trustees for the year ensuing; and
to consider of a proper mode of turning out all atheists,
diests, Wesleys, Methodists, free-thinkers, Quakers, ...
ranters, bawlers, canters, ... [1788]
[ESTCT192843]
Barclay, Robert, 1648-1690. The anarchy of the ranters, and other
libertines, ... (1717) [18th century; reel 4138, no. 01]
[ESTCT120647]
______. [Another ed.] (1726) [ESTCT64167]
______. [Another
ed.] (1733) [ESTCT64166]
______. [Another
ed.] (1757) [18th century; reel 9906, no. 09]
[ESTCW18482]
______. [Another
ed.] (1770) [ESTCW18483]
______. and Penn, William, 1644-1718 . [Another ed.] To
which is added, A brief examination and state of liberty spiritual,
... By William Penn. (1771) [18th century; reel 5643, no.
11] [ESTCT60237]
______. A
treatise on Christian discipline, formerly published by
Robery Barclay, under the title of The anarchy of the
ranters, and other libertines
[1771]
______. [Another
ed.] [1790?] [ESTCT149153]
______. and Penn,
William 1644-1718.
Bauthumley, Jacob. The Light and Dark Sides of God, Or a plain
and brief DISCOURSE, or ... (1650) [British Library: E.1353
(2)] [Thomason Tracts; 178:E.1353(2)] [Wing (2nd ed.,
1994) B1165A] [ESTCR209427]
______. [Another
ed.] (1650). [EEb, 1641-1700; 1632:65][Wing
B1165B]
Baxter, Richard,
1615-1691. Plain Scripture Proof of Infant Church
Membership (1653)
Burthall, Raunce.
An old bridle for a vvilde asse-colt.
[Thomason Tracts; 94:E.615(9)] [Wing (2nd ed.)
B6147] [ESTCR106546]
Clarkson, Laurence,
1615-1667. A Single Eye All Light, no Darkness; or
Light and Darkness One ... (1650) [British
Library: E.614 (1)]
______. The
Lost Sheep Found; or, The Prodigal returns to the Fathers
house, after many a sad and weary Journey through many
Religious Countreys, ... (1660) [EEb, 1641-1700 :
1523:19] [Wing C4580]
Coppe, Abiezer,
1619-1672. Some Sweet Sips of Some Spirituall Wine,
sweetly and freely dropping from one cluster of Grapes,
brought between two upon a Staffe from Spiritual Canaan (the
Land of the Living; (the Living Lord.) ... (1649)
[EEb,1641-1700 ; 683:12] [Wing C6093]
[British Library: E.578 (13,14)]
______. A fiery
Flying Roll, a Word from the Lord to all the Great Ones of
the Earth, whom this may concerne: Being the last Warning
Piece at the dreadfull day of Judgement. ...(1649)
[Thomason Tracts; 90:E.587 (13)] [Wing
C6087] [ESTCR206283]
______. A
Second Fiery Flying Roule: to All the Inhabitants of the
earth, specially to the rich ones. ... (1649)
[Thomason Tracts: 90:E.587(14)] [Wing C6092]
[ESTCR206288]
______. A
Remonstrance of The sincere and Zealous Prostestations of
Abiezer Coppe, Against the Blasphemous and execrable
opinions recited in the Act of Aug. 10. 1650. ...
(1651) [British Library: E.621 (5)] [Thomason
Tracts; 95:E. 621(5)] [Wing (2nd ed., 1994)
C6089] [ESTCR206397]
______. Copp's
Return to the wayes of Truth: ... (1651)
______. To the
Supream Power, the Parliament of the Common-wealth of
England And to the Right Honorable the Council of State,
appointed by their Authority (1651)
______. Truth
asserted against, and Triumphing over Error.
(1651)
Coppin, Richard, fl.
1646-1659. Truth's testimony, and a testimony of
truths appearing, in power, life, light and glory,
... (1655) [EEb, 161-1700; 1864:2] [Wing
C6094] [ESTCR215454]
______. [Another
ed.] (1768) [18th Century; reel 1156, no.
08][ESTCT135251]
______. A blow
at the serpent; or a gentle answer from Maidstone Prison to
appease wrath, advancing itself against truth and peace at
Rochester. ... (1656)
______. [Another
ed.] [1763?] [18th Century; reel 3084, no.
08] [ESTCT135198]
______. The
adventure of all things in Christ, and of Christ in all
things. ... [1763] [18th Century; reel
3084, no. 09] [ESTCT135207]
Downam, John. A
Blow at the Root, Or, some OBSERVATIONS towards A Discovery
of the Subtitles and Devices of Satan, practiced against the
Church and Truth of CHRIST, as In all Ages, so in these
times especially. (1650) [British Library, E.594
(14)]
Dornford. Robert.
Gospel-light, and gospel-life, in the saints
conversaation. ... A discovery of some ranters lartely
brought to trial in London, with their examnations. A word
to all men in power. (1652)[Thomson Tracts;
175:E.13315(2)] [Wing 92nd ed., 1994) D1934]
[ESTCR209204]
Farnworth, Richard,
d. 1666. The ranters principles & deceits
discovered and declared against, denied and disowned by us
whom the world cals Quakers (1655) [Thomason
Tracts: 126.E.830(14)] [Wing(2nd ed.) F501]
[ESTCR207442]
[Hall, George,
1612?-1668]. The Declaration of John Robins, the
false Prophet, otherwise clled the Skakers God, and Joshua
Beck, and John King, the two false disciples, with the rest
of their Fellow-Creatures now prisoners in the New-prison at
Clarkenwell: ... (1651) [British Library: E.629
(13)]
______ and Digby. Kenelm, Sir, 1603-1665. The black and terrible
vvarning piece, or, a scourge to Englands rebellion. ... the
dangerous proceedings of the ranters ... (1653)
[Thomason Tracts; 111:E.721(7)] [Wing (2nd ed.,
1994) B3039] [ESTCR207217]
Hickcock, Richard. A Testimony against the People call'd Ranters
and their Pleads and their pleads and a call or invitation of them to
return to the Lord again (1659) [EEb 1641-1700 : 1485:9]
[Wing H1918] [ESTCR31100] Hyde, Edward
Holland, John.
Smoke of the Bottomlesse Pit or, A More true and
fuller Discovery of the Doctrine of those men which call
themselves Ranters: or, The Mad Crew (1651)
[British Library: E.622 (5)] [Thomason Tracts;
95:E.622(5)] [Wing (2nd ed.) H2428]
[ESTCR206430]
Hyde,
Edward,1607-1659. A Wonder and yet no Wonder: a great
Red Dragon in Heaven (1651) [Thomason Tracts;
179:E.1361(2)] [Wing H3869]
[ESTCR209183]
[M., J.]
The ranters last sermon (1654) [Thomason
Tracts; 123:E.808(1)] [Wing (2nd ed.) M47]
[ESTCR207492]
Reading, John, 1588-1667. The Ranters ranting: with the apprehending,
examinations, and confession of Iohn Collins, I. Shakespear, Tho. Wiberton,
and five more which are to answer the next sessions. (1650) {Thomason
Tracts; 95:E.618(8)] [Wing R450] [ESTCR203304]
Reeve, John,
1608-1658. The prophet Reeve's epistle to his friend,
discovering the dark light of the Quakers, written in the
year 1654. September the 20th. [1660?]
[EEb, 1640-1700; 1938:21]
[ESTCR217554]
Roulston, Gilbert.
Ranters Bible, or, Seven several Religions by them
held and maintained, with the full particulars of their
strange Sects and Societies; ... (1650) [British
Library: E.619 (6)] [Thomason Tracts;
95:E.619(6)] [Wing (2nd ed.)
R2006][ESTCR206365]
Salmon, Joseph.
Antichrist in man, or A discovery of the great whore that
sits upon many waters. ... (1647) [EEb,
1641-1700; 1129:17][Wing (2nd ed.)
S413][ESTCR39105]
______. [Another
ed.] (1648)[EEb, 1641-1700; 1046:15] {Wing
S414] [ESTCR34048]
______. [Another
ed.] (1649) [EEb, 1641-1700; 1535:23] [Wing
(2nd ed.) S414A] [ESTCR32330]
_____. Divinity
anatomized. Or, Truth nakely appearing out of its fleshly
cloathing, and creature attire. (1649)
[ESTCR231557]
______. A Rout,
A Rout, Or some part of the Armies Quarters Beaten Up, By
the DAY of the Lord Stealing upon them. (1649)
______. Heights
in Depths and Depths in Heights or Truth no less Secretly
then Sweetly sparkling out its GLORY from under a Cloud of
OBLOQUIE, ,,, (1651)
Sheppard,
S[amuel]. The Joviall Crevv, or, The Devill
turn'd RANTER: Being a Character of The roaring Ranters of
these Times. Represented in a COMEDIE containing A true
Discovery of the cursed Conversations, ... (1651)
[British Library: E.621 (7)] [Thomason Tracts;
95:E.621(7)] [Wing (2nd ed.) S3166]
[ESTCR206410]
Stokes, Edward.
The VViltshire Rant; or A narrative wherein the most
unparallel'd prophane acting, counterfeit repentings, nd
evil speaking of Thomas Webbe late pretended minister of
Langley Buriall, ... (1652) [Thomason Tract;
103.E.669(5)] [Wing (2nd ed.) S5725]
[ESTCR207024]
Tany, Thomas, fl.
1649-1655. My edict royal [1655?]
[EEb, 1640-1700; 2557:10] [Wing (2nd ed.)
T152C] [ESTCR232368]
Taylor, John,
1580-1653. Ranters of both Sexes male and female being
thirteen or more, taken and imprisoned in the gate-house at
Westminster, and in the new-prison at Clerken Well. Wherein
John Robins doth declare himself to be the great God of
Heaven, and the great deliverer, ... (1651)
[Thomason Tracts; 97:E.629(15)] [Wing (CD-ROM,
1996) T499] [ESTCR206443]
Tilbury, Samuel, fl.
1650-61. Bloudy Newse from the North, and The
Rantering Adamites Declaration concerning the King of
Scotland, with their new League, Covenant, and
Protestation; ... (1650) [British Library: E.622
(1)] [EEb, 1641-1700; 116:12] [Wing (2nd
ed.)T1162] [ESTCR6387]
Webbe, Thomas.
Mr. Edwards pen no slander; or, the Gangraena once more
searched: ... (1646)[Thomason tracts;
55:E.337(34)] [Wing (CD-ROM, 1996) W1206]
[ESTCR200835]
Secondary
Sources
Acheson, R. J., "All
Manner of Filthiness : The Ranters", in Radical
Puritans in England 1550-1660 (1995 pap.)
Ambler, R. W.,
Ranters, revivalists, and reformers : Primitive
Methodism and rural society, South Lincolnshire,
1817-1875 (1989)
