A Collection of Ranter Writings ― Spiritual Liberty and Sexual Freedom in the English Revolution

The Ranters - like the Levellers and the Diggers - were a group of religious libertarians who flourished during the English Civil War (1642–1651), a period of social and religious turmoil which saw, in the words of Christopher Hill, "the world turned upside down."

This particular collection is the most notable attempt to anthologize the key Ranter writings - bringing together some remarkable, visionary and unforgettable texts. The subjects range from the limits to pleasure and divine right, to social justice and collective action. As literature they are also remarkable, and have inspired generations of English-language writers and thinkers.

As an example of radical theology, the Ranters have intrigued and captivated generations of scholars and philosophers. This collection will be of great interest to historians, philosophers and all those trying to understand past radical traditions.

Nigel Smith is William and Annie S. Paton Foundation Professor of Ancient and Modern Literature at Princeton University, USA. His books include Andrew Marvell: The Chameleon (2010), Is Milton better than Shakespeare? (2008) and Literature and Revolution in England, 1640-1660 (1994).