Anna Trapnell facts for kids

Anna Trapnell was a woman living in England in the 1650s. She was known as a prophetess, meaning she claimed to have special messages from God. Anna joined a religious group called the Fifth Monarchists in 1652.

Her Early Life

Anna Trapnell was born in the 1630s in a place called Stepney, England. Her father was a shipwright, someone who builds and repairs ships. Her family lived near the River Thames, in an area where some people were very rich and others were very poor.

Even though she wasn't baptized, Anna felt very religious from a young age. She once said that God made her feel bad for even small mistakes. Her first recorded vision, or special message, happened after her mother passed away in 1647.

A Journey and a Trial

In January 1654, Anna Trapnell went into a deep trance. This trance lasted for almost two weeks. During this time, she sang, prayed, and shared her prophecies with many people. News of her trance spread quickly, making her famous across England.

Anna was very critical of the government at the time, led by Oliver Cromwell. She also spoke about how men and women should be equal. Some people thought she was not well.

After having a dream, Anna Trapnell traveled to Cornwall. In April 1654, she was arrested. She was accused of causing trouble and brought before judges in Truro. Anna spoke a lot during her trial. The judges asked her why she traveled and why she preached. She answered with questions, stories, and parts of the Bible. She was later sent from Cornwall to London and put in prison. However, she was released in July 1654.

After her release, Anna continued to share her prophecies. Her activities were written down in several books published in 1654. These included Strange and Wonderful Newes from White-Hall and Anna Trapnel's Report and Plea.

Her Impact

Anna Trapnell was an important woman writer for her time. She became well-known when many people did not take women seriously. We don't know exactly why she did what she did. Also, her stories were all from her own point of view, so it's hard to know how accurate they were. However, her preaching had a big impact, and many people listened to her.

Works

• A Narrative of Her Journey Into Cornwall. — This book tells her life story, including details about her trial.