READERS of online Independent Australia were asked to write a book review. Keep the book too! It was a topic I wanted to learn about.
Two Revolutions and the Constitution - click on AMERICAN REPUBLIC
The source of the American 'framers' Bill of Rights and Constitution looked back to the movers and shakers of the English Republic in the 17th century - my area of research.
POWER TO TAX, by the Divine Right of King to pursue a war already 30 years ongoing...then suspending the Rule of Law. 11 years of his Personal Rule came unstuck in 1628 when Parliament was recalled and they presented him with the
PETITION OF RIGHT and RESOLUTIONS no more money for wars without an act of Parliament. Habeas Corpus, a feature of a mature society protecting human rights against arbitary detention, was demanded, (only 300 years later have Governments around the world disposed of this human right).
TERMS
Petition of Right
A major English constitutional document that sets out specific liberties of the subjects that the king is prohibited from infringing. Passed in 1628, it contains restrictions on non-Parliamentary taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and the use of martial law.
habeas corpus
In medieval Latin it means literally “You may have the body,” a recourse in law whereby a person can report an unlawful detention or imprisonment before a court, usually through a prison official.
Thirty Years’ War
A series of wars in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648. Initially a war between various Protestant and Catholic states in the fragmented Holy Roman Empire, it gradually developed into a more general conflict involving most of the great powers.
Tonnage and Poundage
Certain duties and taxes first levied in Edward II’s reign on every tun (cask) of imported wine, which came mostly from Spain and Portugal, and on every pound weight of merchandise exported or imported. Traditionally it was granted by Parliament to the king for life until the reign of Charles I.
OLIVER CROMWELL went from being a farmer and local councillor at Huntington, near Cambridge, then a Member of Parliament. He showed his warrior nature during the English Civil War, becoming Regicide and Lord Protector of an English Republic.
The country was ruled by a Stuart King Charles 1 who was not one for negotiations with his Parliament on matters of providing finance for his pet projects.
who was determined to take every last penny of its subjects to pay for a war when one was still going after 30 years.
The Lords were useless, except to enjoy privileges at any opportunity. Cromwell was MP for Huntingdon(Cambridge) and he took his responsibilities seriously since he had been born again with a God who steered his way.
Oliver Cromwell first became a Member of Parliament in 1628, when he was elected as one of the two borough MPs for Huntingdon, on the nomination of the Montagu family of Hinchingbrooke. He did not distinguish himself in any way at the time, being in modern terms a backbench MP with no real political experience. Cromwell Museum
https://www.facebook.com/englishrepublicans as it happens - join my fb page
A Writer's References and now to
THE VOICES IN MY HEAD:
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1 Neighbours
The moment was not lost on my melancholy neighbour, Goody Clark. Her husband John had no time to lift her, nor clean her mess because he was a musketeer and was about to join the force to Barbados.
"I believe it is divine Providence which led me to your market stall. I can give you these 3 coins for your labour and on my return the remainder."
I was grateful, but I was keen for him to lift his wife and transfer her to the bath at my hearth. It had taken 3 days of scrubbing and cleaning Goody Clark's living room, lifting and unwrapping her from her bedding so we - John Clark, my employer could help walk the few steps to my place.
The fire in the hearth was aflame with warmth and light. Two candles flickered on the vegetable crate. My bed was ready for her.
Her name was Thomasine. Her husband had helped to unravel and unstick her out of the woolley cloth which had become a cocoon: He gently gave orders in her ear, Private Thomas Clark... Time to move. This is Ruth, your neighbour who I have asked to help you whilst I am sailing to Barbados.
I jumped when she turned and spat at his face! The water bounced to the rim of the bath. His response, "So you are going to live my dear! I will come and see you when I get back with your respect for yourself returned."
John began to move to the door. He turned to the sound of water drops being squeezed from a cloth onto her scabies and flea bites.
"I disinfect then soothe it with olive oil."
There was a myriad of other afflictions, bedbugs, head and pubic lice. I crushed a little of a cinnamon stick into the oil. Cinnamon, I informed him. I brought it from my native home of Portugal.
All the while John Clark watched. He wasn't going to hang around originally, he was going to meet his mates Matthew and John at the blacksmith shop for a game of cards and an ale, but he had never seen a woman care for another woman like this before.
"Tell me about your destination" said Ruth, "will it take long? "Smithfield" he replied half fried. He was slightly overcome by the confines of the room and two women within it.
Beneath the one drop of teal curtain covering a window frame held by a nail each side, Ruth lit candle by candle around the small room.
"Oh, did you mean about our next mission? Well, it was conquered by the Lord General Oliver Cromwell in 1652. Soldiers who came back said it was bad with heat and mosquitos.
"I think my Portuguese countrymen were there before the English". This woman had no shame about speaking only men of learning spoke of!
Thomasine was enamoured and did not resist the Jewess, Ruth speaking softly with foreign accent she was about to rub gently along her arms and down her body so she will be clean again, as a daughter of God.
"This sponge comes from the shores of Portugal. It will remove the hardened skin, feels like leather, hard to the weather. The slight whiff of the cinnamon stick enthralled John. Was this woman a witch? He scared himself. He smiled at Ruth and nodded, smiled like he hadn't for a long time. All was very well in Well Street.
He was so appreciative of God's providence, to have this Jewess, a widow cross his path. He saw she could do with help with her cart. She showed him her market stall spot. They carried on talking. In half an hour John had learned about her journey from Amsterdam thanks to the Lord Protector.
I was in his regiment - she wanted to know what kind of leader he was to his men, how it was so sad he died when he was always so strong as an ox.
"Insects got him in the Irish bogs" he said. He wanted to know where she had settled. Did the Government find places to live? She looked into his eyes to guess whether he was trust worthy.
Genius tapped him, Oh, Happy Hanukkah. He left her with surprise over her face, and impressed. He knew how to read a woman, he smiled. He would leave her wanting to know him more.
This was something else, he stood still, turned around, I have a thought, you live near my wife, but I have been so busy and she doesn't want me near her. Long story.
I think its melancholia. Like a bear hibernating in a cave. She's got a knife and she'll use it.
"Mamamia, what did you do?" Ruth said she already visited old and sick Jews, cook and clean for them, but she would ask the Rabbi if she could help her neighbour.
"I can give you some money for you trouble" he said. Heck, he wished he hadn't said that so soon! They agreed to meet at their the top of Well Square and found the women lived next door, ground floor to each other.
"This is not like her" he told her.
I can help, she said, placing her hand on his arm to reassure him. We will do this together and quickly.
We moved her over to the table where we could sup. I followed John Clark to the door and said I would require extra wage for the extra time and care required.
"Of course, Ruth, I am not blind to see you are the best nurse a soldier could have". I allowed myself to take a glimpse into his hazel eyes and be dazzled by his smile. He almost caught me gulping .
One last thing....removed a case from the end of bed-head, a tiny round glass vestibule. This is for you so you can return to us in one piece. You put a little on your wrists wherever the insects bite. We can't lose you too soon, like General Cromwell!
" Oh God of Abraham" I said to myself, "here is a son of Adam whose charm could let him get away with murder!"
He assures me I will be paid , draws out a coin, plays with it around my head scarf like teasing a child.
"I admire what you've done for my Tommy" It was Providence that led me to your market stall.
"Enjoy your meal, Thom. I've got to go and make myself useful, to which she replied, "Amen".
Yes, I am pleased to see you up and trying my dandilion soup. It's nourishing. The cheese and bread sat in the middle. "Sorry I can't face that. It was all we ate during the war." She pushed the plate further away.
I put it in my bag for Tea. I'm like English now eating Cheshire cheese. Life is good since Oliver Cromwell, bless him let us Jews ship to England in 1657.
When I told my neighbour I was eternally grateful to the Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell, a little life came upon her violet eyes.
"He has been dead since 3 September 1658. I can't forget. I was his Drummer. I still love him."
Did you attend his funeral? I asked.
"Me, Johnny, mates from our regiment got called to march. John in the Musketeers, me Drumming. From Somerset House to Westminster Abbey."
"I thought I'd cry but I didn't. That would have made his soul uneasy. There was something about him made me want to please him, be the best I could be."
I shared my information; In 1656 many Jews were fleeing the Spanish Inquisition and arrived in Amsterdam Republic because they not hate us, kind people, but too many coming.
By the time my husband and I arrived there was overcrowding and we started to despair.
Some people started to complain about our ways, but thank you God, the Lord Protector a greed with Rabbi to bring some refugees to England. The Netherlands was already a Republic. It was a good deal to bring us to English Republic.
Cromwell saw opportunity for economy. He lighten the load of refugees and Dutch Government.
It took 300 years to let our people live here again, for Oliver Cromwell respected us. We came from a hot country of Portugal...walking, cart, carriage, horse, any which way to be safe. Many suffering souls.
She could see Thomasine was staring into space.
You did?
At Stepney Church with my family. Hugh, my father knew everyone. Cromwell was our General in the New Model Army. Our first expedition was to Ireland. My first ship across the Irish Sea in 1649.
I have much to be grateful to him for in my life.
Write your story Goody Thomasine!
But I can't read or write. You can learn!
No.
I can teach you, and you tell your wonderful story and I write for you.
I'm tired again. I need to lie down.
I will put you in my bed whilst I clean up yours. No more bites hey! You'll scratch your skin off.
Thank you lady. You call me Leah, Widow Leah Cortez, Your friend, your neighbour. She took Thomasine's hand gently. Now sleep, and I will find a quill.
Has John given you any money yet? Just checking.
She slid down the mattress and was asleep in a minute.
The doctrinal reason was the belief amongst godly Protestants, including Cromwell, that the conversion of the Jews to Christianity was essential before Christ would return to reign on earth. 1656 was thought by some to be the actual year in which this would happen.
