The London Revolution – A Discussion

For most of us, the English Civil War conjures up a hazy collection of kings, Parliament, roundheads, cavaliers, and perhaps the occasional exam flashback. But beneath the familiar story lies something far more radical: a period in which ordinary people questioned who should hold power, who should own land, what freedom actually means, and whether society itself could be organised in a completely different way.

This discussion explores the ideas presented in Michael Sturza’s The London Revolution: 1640–1643 – Class Struggles in Seventeenth-Century England. Rather than treating history as a collection of dates and famous figures, Sturza examines the competing interests, social conflicts, and political movements that emerged as London became a centre of revolutionary change. Together we’ll consider not only what happened, but what these events might still have to say about democracy, inequality, collective action, political legitimacy, and the possibility of social transformation today.

Who gets to decide how society should be organised? Are revolutions driven by great individuals, or by ordinary people acting together? Can meaningful political change happen without conflict, or is struggle an unavoidable part of history? When existing institutions seem unjust, where does legitimate authority come from? How do wealth, class, and power shape the freedoms people actually possess? And what can a revolution that took place nearly four centuries ago teach us about the political and economic questions we continue to wrestle with today?

This session will begin with a short introduction to some of the key ideas from The London Revolution, after which the floor will be opened for a collaborative discussion. Whether you’ve read the book cover to cover, dipped into a few chapters, or are simply curious about the themes, you’re warmly invited to join the conversation.

No prior knowledge of seventeenth-century England, political philosophy, or revolutionary history is required—just curiosity, a willingness to listen, and an openness to exploring ideas together.

The meetup session will roughly follow this format:

• Cheery welcomes to familiar faces and those that feel like chatting.
• A short introduction to Michael, and some of the key ideas explored in his book The London Revolution.
• An open discussion where everyone is welcome to contribute questions, reflections, agreements, disagreements, or entirely new perspectives.
• A teary farewell as the clock announces the sad completion of the session; well-wishing until we all meet again.

A small disclaimer…
While this discussion is inspired by Michael Sturza’s book, the purpose of the evening isn’t to provide a definitive interpretation of his work, nor am I presenting myself as an expert on the history or politics involved. The aim is simply to create a thoughtful, welcoming space where we can examine the ideas together.

Let’s approach the conversation with curiosity, generosity, and a willingness to hear perspectives that may differ from our own. Everyone brings different experiences, knowledge, and assumptions, and that’s precisely what makes these discussions interesting. If something feels unclear, challenging, or uncomfortable, please feel free to say so. The goal isn’t to win debates or persuade others to adopt a particular position, but to better understand the questions the book raises—and perhaps discover a few new ones along the way.

History often feels distant, but the questions it leaves us with rarely are. By exploring them together with empathy, respect, and intellectual curiosity, we may not arrive at final answers, but we can leave with a richer understanding of both the past and ourselves.

Love our discussions?
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