HistoryExtra podcast Prophetesses & she-preachers of the 17th century
Jan 2, 2026
Dr. Naomi Baker, a senior lecturer and expert on 17th-century religious history, discusses the radical religious women of her era. She highlights figures like Elizabeth Poole, who confronted political authority, and Mary Fisher, who famously met with the Ottoman Sultan. The conversation delves into how personal religious experiences fostered spiritual equality among women, alongside tales of social upheaval and prophetic visions. Baker emphasizes the lasting impact these women had on religious and social norms, cementing their legacy in history.
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Spiritual Equality Fueled Radical Agency
- Radical Protestant belief in a direct relationship with God drove women to claim spiritual equality with men.
- This theological equality empowered women to challenge hierarchical social and religious authority.
Civil War Made Authority A Spiritual Question
- The 17th-century political turmoil made authority a theological question about obeying God versus earthly rulers.
- Women who claimed divine accountability used conscience to reject external hierarchies.
Elizabeth Attaway's Public Preaching
- Elizabeth Attaway preached publicly in London around 1645–46 and drew thousands despite hostile reports.
- Surviving accounts are mainly derogatory, forcing historians to read these sources critically.