eBooks
James Parnell was one of the first Quaker preachers to die for his faith during the 17th century. His short life was a troubled one: from his birth in East Retford, his arrest and imprisonment in Cambridge, and ultimately his death in Colchester Castle after being confined in a wall niche, twelve feet from the ground. Why would somebody be confined in such a place?
In this book, I'll look further at his time in Colchester Castle, and will try to discover just what these niches might have been. I'll use architectural references from Chepstow Castle and the White Tower at the Tower of London to help uncover the lost evidence at Colchester Castle.
Finally, I'll look at the circumstances surrounding his death and try to answer the questions as to why these events happened and why those who tried to help him were prevented from doing so.
Was Parnell a victim of religious intolerance or was he simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? Did Parnell play a part in his own downfall by his antagonistic behaviour and how did the legal process at the time contribute to his death? I'll let you decide as you read the life story of the Quaker preacher James Parnell.
The Quaker Preacher
Colchester’s Arts Centre is one of this towns popular entertainment venues, which occupies the former church of St. Marty’s at the Walls. Follow my journey of discovery into the rise and decline of this former church, as I uncover the unique story of its survival through 700 years of history.
Discover the church’s social history through wars and plague. Read how the parishioners twice financed the rebuilding of the church and the determination of her rectors to provide an education for the children of the parish. Learn how this church witnessed executions, survived earthquakes and was eventually destroyed by cannon fire during the Siege of Colchester in 1648, during the second English Civil War.
Finally, I’ll show how urban modernization increased the parish population, resulting in the need to construct a new church called Christ Church and how a new road system affected the church, bringing about its eventual closure. Along the way, I’ll uncover some interesting stories and connections relating to the history of Colchester. Now available is an E-Book.
