The Putney Debates

It's 360 years since the Putney Debates took place in our very own St Mary's Church, beside Putney Bridge.

A series of events are being planned by both the Church and the UK Parliament to mark this significant historical event, where factions of Oliver Cromwell's Roundhead Army came together to forge a written constitution for England. The attempt failed because of the escape of King Charles from Hampton Court Palace, and because Cromwell could not be reconciled to the idea of direct democracy, but it is argued that this meeting inspired the US Declaration of Independence and the founding principles of that country's constitution.

A website listing these events has been set up, and can be found here.