A Radical Side of the Early Quakers, with Dr. Erica Canela - First Monday Lecture December 2025

Описание: How far did early Quakers go to save souls and live out their spiritual convictions?

Dr. Erica Canela’s First Monday Lecture explores the origins of Quakerism in the chaos of the mid-seventeenth century in England. Following the devastating civil wars, the population was left exhausted, traumatised, and living in a shattered landscape. In this context of ruin and uncertainty, a new religious movement emerged in the north of England. The early Quakers, driven by intense spiritual conviction, believed it was their duty to save souls at any cost. Their methods were seen by many as extreme and they repeatedly defied the authorities.

Their radical actions were expressions of deep religious zeal, shaped by fear, desperation, and a longing for moral certainty in a world that felt irredeemably broken. Dr. Canela’s talk challenges the idealised image of early Quakerism, revealing a group of believers whose fervour sometimes led to deeply troubling behaviour. They stood firm in their beliefs, often risking persecution and death. In doing so, they demonstrated how far people will go, especially in times of crisis, to seek safety, truth, and divine purpose. Even when it meant crossing the line between faith and fanaticism.

Pendle Hill hosts free lectures for the public on the first Monday of every month. These lectures feature diverse subjects, and are delivered by a wide variety of speakers. Join us here each month for a new lecture, or sign up to participate via Zoom: https://pendlehill.org/calendar/