‘His Cause and Glory Lies at Stake’: the Rhetorics of Martyrdom in Leveller Writings, c. 1638-1649
This paper examines the rhetorics of martyrdom in John Lilburne's early writings, arguing that he developed three related but distinct categories of martyrdom: living, legal, and militant. Lilburne drew comparisons between his own suffering and the martyrdoms of iconic figures such as Christ, Laurence Saunders, and his contemporaries—William Prynne, John Bastwick, and Henry Burton. The first category aligns with the traditional concept of a martyr as someone who endures extreme pain and suffering unto death for their faith. However, Lilburne broadened the definition to include those who, like Prynne, Bastwick, and Burton, endured similar hardships but survived, representing them as ‘those three renowned marters of the Lord.’ Over time, Lilburne further expanded the scope of this status, positioning himself as a “legal martyr” to support a powerful blend of legal theories advocating for the common freedom of the people. The suppression of pro-Leveller mutinies and the assassination of Colonel Thomas Rainsborough led to a growing list of Leveller soldiers martyred in battle. In pamphlets, newsbooks, and public demonstrations, Lilburne and other Levellers leveraged rhetorics of martyrdom to police the boundaries of the moral community and rally support for the cause.
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This page was last updated on 24 March 2025
