Barbara Blaugdone facts for kids

Barbara Blaugdone (born around 1609, died 1704) was a brave English Quaker preacher. She wrote about her travels, how she shared her beliefs, and her thoughts on religion and politics. She was put in jail many times for speaking about what she believed.

Barbara's Early Life

We don't know Barbara Blaugdone's first name before she was married. She was probably born in Bristol, England, where she later lived and became a Quaker. She wrote that she "feared the Lord" and "sought him earnestly," meaning she was very religious from a young age. We also don't know much about her husband, whom she seems to have lost when she was still quite young.

Barbara was a smart and well-educated woman. She became a teacher, but when she became a Quaker, many of her students left her school. What was unusual for her time was that she had her own money. This allowed her to pay for her travels as a Quaker minister herself. She proudly said, "In all my Travels, I Travelled still on my own Purse, and was never chargeable to any, but paid for what I had." This meant she never asked others for money to support her work.

Barbara Blaugdone became a Quaker in 1654, after meeting two Quaker leaders, John Audland and John Camm. After this, she chose a very simple lifestyle. In the same year, she was jailed for going into churches in Bristol to speak against their traditional ways. She was even attacked after leaving a private meeting.

Sharing Her Beliefs

For Quakers in Barbara's time, "ministry" meant more than just preaching. It included sharing their faith everywhere – at home, in the market, or at work. They believed they had to set a good example in all parts of their lives. Quakers like Barbara, who traveled to share their message, were called "Public Friends." They had the support of their local and national Quaker groups.

Quakers like Barbara Blaugdone often faced violence and broke several laws. This was because they didn't attend the official Church of England services and gathered in their own meetings, which was against the law. Their belief that people could become morally perfect and connect with God was sometimes misunderstood and seen as challenging the authorities.

Soon after becoming a Quaker, Barbara traveled to Basingstoke to help two Quakers who were in prison. She successfully convinced the mayor to release them. In 1656, she sailed to Ireland for a similar reason. There, she met Henry Cromwell, who was the son of the powerful leader of England, Oliver Cromwell.

In Cork, Barbara's strong and enthusiastic preaching led to accusations of witchcraft, and she was put in jail. After being released, she returned home but soon went back to Dublin. There, she spoke out in court, which led to more imprisonment and even physical harm. On her journey to Dublin, she was blamed for a storm at sea and almost thrown overboard! She was jailed again in Limerick, Cork, and Kinsale before being forced to leave Ireland.

In 1657, Barbara Blaugdone was attacked in Marlborough for trying to speak in a church. After six weeks in jail, she went to the mayor and spoke to him so powerfully that he later tried to protect Quakers. In Exeter, she was held for a long time and then severely punished.

Barbara Blaugdone continued her work even after the king returned to power in England (this was called the Restoration). She was jailed for attending a Quaker meeting in Bristol in 1681. Two years later, she was jailed again in Ilchester and also fined a large amount of money (£280) for not going to the Church of England. In 1686, she wrote a letter to King James II to protest how Quakers were being treated and delivered it herself.

Barbara Blaugdone's book, Account..., was published in 1691, but parts of it had been shared privately for years before. It tells the story of her life up to 1657. Two other writings she wanted to publish were not allowed in 1689. People say her writings are special because of their direct and descriptive style, which builds excitement by adding one event after another.

Barbara Blaugdone passed away in London in 1704.