Original Query: Political Colours
Christopher Hill suggests the Levellers wore Red ribbons (WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. Pelican 1968. p.61 quoting THE RED- RIBB0NED NEWS FROM THE ARMY--27 May 1647).
Antonia Fraser supports the more usual green. What other evidence is there to support either claim?
Answer
The confusion on whether the Army Levellers wore Red or Green ribbons to mark their viewpoint during the 1647-1649 period is in fact a simple question to answer. The colours of the so-called Leveller party in civilian life (which in the forthcoming Partizan Press volume I have termed Professional Levellers), were by 1649 certainly Sean Green & Black, these being noted in London on numerous occasions. However, and this is where Dr. Hill and most readers seem to misunderstand, the colour of the Army was Red. In 1647 the ARmy was not joined with the Professional Levellers to the same extent as in 1649- if the majority of soldiers were even then- but were united by the Solemn Engagement with their Independent Officers. The colour of their coats was Red, and this appears to give the colour to their cause from 1647 to its final 1660 declaration in THE RED COAT CATACLYSM. The Levellers in the Army by 1649 may have worn Sea Green, but it was certainly rare. Unfortunately the final episode of BY THE SWORD DIVIDED also perpetuated the Green ribbon myth. the use of Red in the New Model Army was however nothing to do with a communist theory, but with this unity of spirit- their coats were Red, the cross of St. George (i.e: England) is Red etc. etc.
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