Prophetess and the Patriarch – The Visions of an Anti–Regicide in Seventeenth–Century England

Elizabeth Poole (1588–1654) was a seamstress, prophetess, and writer. Katharine Gillespie is a professor of literature and the humanities at Chapman University. She is the author of multiple books, including Women Writing the English Republic, 1625-1681.

“The publication of Gillespie’s excellent edition of Elizabeth Poole’s writings is a crucial intervention in early modern English women’s studies. Poole’s pamphlets and prophecies, collected here for the first time, were transgressive attempts to influence the revolutionary politics of mid-seventeenth-century England. Gillespie’s edition does meticulous, expert work in situating the texts in their contemporary politico-religious contexts. It is vital reading for anyone interested in the history of English women’s writing and seventeenth-century culture, history, and politics.”

• Acknowledgments Illustrations Abbreviations INTRODUCTION PAMPHLETS BY ELIZABETH POOLE A Vision: Wherein Is Manifested the Disease and Cure of the Kingdom An Alarm of War An[other] Alarm of War APPENDIX 1: Contexts for Elizabeth PooleWilliam Kiffin et al., A Confession of Faith William Kiffin, A Brief Remonstrance Anonymous, A Discovery of Six Women Preachers APPENDIX 2: Transcript of Elizabeth Poole’s Appearances in WhitehallWilliam Clarke, General Council at Whitehall, 29 December 1648 and General Council 5 Jan. 1648 at Whitehall APPENDIX 3: Pamphlets Cited by Elizabeth PooleExcerpt from Henry Ireton, A Remonstrance of His Excellency Thomas Lord Fairfax John Lilburne, Foundations of Freedom; or, An Agreement of the People APPENDIX 4: Pamphlets About Elizabeth PooleAnonymous, The Manner of the Deposition of Charles Stewart, King of England Excerpt from Anonymous, To Xeiphos Ton Martyron Anonymous, The English Devil: or, Cromwell and His Monstrous Witch Discover’d at WhiteHall APPENDIX 5: Other Pamphlets Relevant to Elizabeth PooleHenry Ireton and John Lambert, The Heads of Proposals Francis White, The Copies of Several Letters Contrary to the Opinion of the Present Power Bibliography Index