Gerrard Winstanley was a tradesmen in London until he went bankrupt during the English Civil War. During 1640 he became a Baptist lay preacher and then, finding out the Baptists were too limiting he set off on his own religious journey. In 1649 at in Surrey, south of London Gerrard and about half a dozen other started digging up and planting crops in the common land of St.George's Hill. The "common land" was available for all people to use, but had been used for the local lord's animals to graze. So the activity of the "Diggers", those who wanted to level out the social classes, was radical and controversial. A warrant was issued for Winstanley's arrest, although it is believed that he was never actually arrested. He continued Digger agitating until the mid-1650s. In "A Declaration from the Poor Oppressed People of England" Winstanley helps other Christians find a calling trying to make radical changes in the social order.
Winstanley argues that the diggers have the right to plant and plow the land because they are "made to labor the earth together, with one consent and willing mind; and while we are free, that everyone, friend and foe, shall enjoy the benefit of their creation, that is to have food and raminent from the earth..." (302). Winstanley argues that because they are people of the land they are allowed by the power of righteousness in our hearts and seeking the livelihood of others.
Winstanley's and Claiborne's radical changes of the social order or similar. They are both activists of helping the poor. Winstanley is concerned with helping the poor bear food from the land. Shane is concerned with helping the poor live in society. They are both prominent radical activists.
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