Historical civil war production from Huntingdon museum

This production is centred around the events of 1647 when the victors of the English Civil War met to discuss how the country should now be governed in a church in Putney.

The museum has produced the show, an edited and dramatized version of the events, by working with members of the Sealed Knot historical re-enactment society and original records.

Stuart Orme, Curator of the Cromwell Museum, said: “375 years ago a group of men – soldiers, politicians and radical thinkers – met at the Putney Debates to discuss how the country should be governed.

“Their debates and passionate arguments were over ideas that we take for granted today, and after the last year of political upheaval in modern politics this seems more relevant than ever.

“This should be a dramatic performance that will be engaging, entertaining – and help audiences understand better where the freedoms we enjoy now first came from”.

The Putney Debates took place at the start of November in 1647 at the St Mary’s Church in Putney.

The debates saw representatives of ordinary soldiers and political radicals, which were know as “Levellers”, met senior New Model Army officers to discuss the settlement of the country after the English Civil War came to an end as Parliament found victory over King Charles l.

The meeting, chaired by Oliver Cromwell, started on October 28 and ended November 1647.

Many topics were discussed such as the fate of King Charles I, whether the country should become a republic, whether all men should have the right to vote and freedom of thought, particularly In relation to religion.

Performances of the Putney Debates will be held on Saturday, February 25 at 11.30am, 2.30pm and 6.30pm and on Sunday, February 26 at 11.30am and 2.30pm at Huntingdon Town Hall.

Performances last about 70 minutes. Tickets cost £10 per person or £8 for students and Museum Members.

Tickets can be booked at the Cromwell Museum or online via: www.cromwellmuseum.org.