A radical, anarchic quasi-religious movement of the English Civil War era, known for their antinomian beliefs and opposition to traditional religious and social norms.
The Ranters were a radical religious sect that gained prominence during the turbulent period of the English Civil War, between 1642 and 1651. Known for their antinomian beliefs, the Ranters asserted that Christians, saved by grace, were not bound by moral law, particularly the Mosaic Law. This ideology led them to reject many societal norms, traditional moral constraints, and religious orthodoxy, engaging in behaviors considered scandalous by their contemporaries, such as promiscuous sexual activities, public nudity, and the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
Emerging around 1648, the Ranters were more of an anarchic movement than a formally organized group. Their beliefs centered on the idea that God was immanent, manifesting within all creatures, especially humans. They held that individuals who were in tune with this divine presence were inherently sinless and saw all of God’s works as inherently good. This theological viewpoint justified their unbridled lifestyles, which included dancing, drinking, smoking, and liberal sexual practices, leading to significant public and clerical outrage.
The Ranters also expressed profound critiques of the established church and its hierarchy, which they viewed as corrupt and oppressive. Influential figures like Abiezer Coppe and Laurence Clarkson vocally criticized the clergy, whom they accused of perpetuating violence and oppression. The Ranter’s religious views were deeply intertwined with a form of political and social radicalism that rejected all forms of external authority, advocating a sort of spiritual egalitarianism where divine insight was accessible to all, not just the religious elite.
Their literature and public expressions were often provocative, designed to challenge the status quo and included vehement and uncompromising criticism of established religion. Publishers and printers, finding the controversial nature of Ranter writings commercially lucrative, emphasized their novelty and sensational content to attract readers. This strategy significantly contributed to the dissemination of Ranter ideas, despite—or perhaps because of—their contentious nature.
However, the movement faced severe repression from the authorities, particularly after the enactment of laws against atheism and blasphemy, such as the Adultery Act in May 1650 and the Blasphemy Act in August 1650. These laws were partly in response to concerns about the Ranters and imposed severe penalties for moral transgressions and heretical beliefs. Several Ranters, including leaders like Coppe and Clarkson, were subjected to harsh punishments, including imprisonment, corporal punishment, and even execution.
The lack of organization and the extreme hostility from magistrates and ministers led to the decline of the Ranter movement by the mid-1650s. By the mid-19th century, the term “Ranter” was often used derogatorily to describe other groups, like the Primitive Methodists, known for their enthusiastic and unrefined preaching styles. Despite their relatively brief period of activity, the Ranters left a lasting impression on the religious and political landscape of England, reflecting broader undercurrents of dissent and upheaval during a pivotal period in English history. Their radical approach to spirituality and rejection of traditional religious and social structures continue to influence religious and philosophical movements.
image via Bristol Radical History Group
