EVANGELICAL WOMEN IN 1600; HESTER BIDDLE P/4

                                                                                  Read Part One HERE          

In this story I will continue to focus on Evangelical women born in 1600, this time focusing on a woman named Hester Biddle. She lived from 1629 - 1697. Hester was born in Oxford, England and brought up as an Anglican. Her conversion to the Quakers took place after hearing Edward Burrough and Francis Howgil preach in 1654.

Hester stated that she found "Peace of Conscience" in joining the Quakers. She began to write a number of pamphlets. However, it was stil illegal for a woman to deliver an address in public. Consequently Hester suffered a probable 14 arrests and imprisonments and in some cases was beaten as well. Nevertheless, she continued to write more pamphlets. Her 1662 pamphlet was written while she was actualy imprisoned in Newgate.

Hester travelled within Britain, as well as Ireland and Scotland. Moreover, she travelled abroad to Canada, the Netherlands, Barbados and Alexandria. Most famous of all was her visit to France in 1694 - 1695. Having previously visited Mary II of England, she obtained permission to address Louis XIV of France, during which - in line with her Quaker beliefs - she urged him to pursue policies of peace.

Hester died in 1710.

Read Part Five HERE