History Challenge & Journal

[Jimbob]

Hmm. Used for a secret ballot, not nays and yeas from the floor so suspect it might have been used for party leader elections around the time of The big 'O' (Cromwell)

[Jimbob]

dear oh dear away for a few days and read the wrong page for my post.

[Bristolian]

^^ I think that it's called a senior moment.....I get them a lot

[Jimbob]

At one time there were political groups known as Ranters, Agitators, Engagers, clubmen and Levellers. When was that and what did they stand for?

[dtaai-maai]

Not sure about the details but wasn't this all about different ideas of how the country should be run in the time of Cromwell and the Commonwealth, and weren't they sort of half political and half religious?

[Bristolian]

The period I believe was the English Civil War and they were political and religious activist groups but beyond this our friend Google would be required

[pharvey]

Can't comment on the others, but fairly sure from my brief waking hours at school many moons ago, the Ranters were a group that separated from the Christian Church - with a belief that God existed in all living things (possibly just "creatures")....... As per DM's comment, I also believe this was in Cromwell's time - mid-1600's?

[Jimbob]

Mr.PHarvey is right about Ranters.
Agitators were agents representing the views of the Army rank and file.
Engagers were adherents to the Engagement act of 1647 that committed Charles I to experiment with a Presbytarian system in England.
Clubmen were conservative and neutral groups and counties trying to be aloof of the civil war.
Levellers sought the abolition of the Monarchy. An interesting and tumultuous time of British history.

bonus trivia question
It was a time that a Buff Jerkin was much sought after. what was it, without looking at Google.


(I have been reading a series of novels by Susannah Gregory set in Restoration times with references to these groups)

[dtaai-maai]

What information can you give me about this vessel without googling (for now)?
Feel free to ask questions.

[Nereus]

It is a "hybrid", having both sails and a steam engine.

[dtaai-maai]

Good start! Anything else?
Nationality? Achievements? Name?

[Nereus]

Well, without looking it up, it MAY be the "Great Western". Designed by Brunel, and sailed its maiden voyage out of Bristol.
It has paddle wheels, so a very early design.

(and the painting looks like it was done during Monday nights huge storm in Bangkok )

[Frank Hovis]

Is it the SS Great Britain ? But I think there's not enough masts for that to be the case.

[dtaai-maai]

Nope - built earlier and in a different country. (answer to both guesses)

[Bristolian]

Is it a LHD model from our Colonial Cousins