English Rebels and Revolutionaries written by Stephen Basdeo and
published by Pen & Sword Books - £25 - Hardback - Pages 288
Throughout history brave Englishmen and women have never been afraid to rise up
against their unjust rulers and demand their rights. Barely a century has gone by
without England being witness to a major uprising against the government of the day,
often resulting in a fundamental change to the constitution. This book is a collection
of biographies, written by experts in their field, of the lives and deeds of famous
English freedom fighters, rebels, and democrats who have had a major impact on
history. Featured chapters include the history of Wat Tyler’s Rebellion, when an army
of 50,000 people marched to London in 1381 to demand an end to serfdom and the
hated poll tax. Alongside Wat Tyler in this pantheon of English revolutionaries is Jack
Cade who in 1450 led an angry mob to London to protest against government
corruption. There are three chapters on various aspects of the English Civil War,
during which the English executed their king. Other rebel heroes featured include
Thomas Paine, the great intellectual of the American and French Revolutions;
Mary Wollstonecraft, author of The Rights of Woman; Henry Hunt, who, as well as
the Chartists after him, campaigned for universal suffrage; William Morris, the
visionary designer and socialist thinker; and finally the Suffragettes and Suffragists
who fought for women’s voting rights.
English Rebels and Revolutionaries throughout English history, the book is a collection separated into chapters written by individual experts and historians. The book is split into three sections, the Medieval Era, the English Revolution and the 18th Century, highlighting a number of individuals and events that happened in those times. I must admit I preferred the 18th Century section most as I had studied that at university, but the other two sections were just as good. It’s a very informative book and also very comprehensive in detail and facts. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and really enjoy these types of book. Highly recommended.
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