Edward Sexby Biography

Sexby is associated with the soldier representatives who press the Army's grievances as the New Model Army refuses disbandment until arrears, indemnity and political safeguards are secured

Sexby represents rank-and-file pressure within the Army Council, where Agitators insist that the Army's grievances must be treated as matters of public justice rather than mutiny

Sexby explains that soldiers and their civilian advisers have come to the Army Council to press the Agreement of the People because the Army's sacrifices require a secure public settlement

Sexby represents the Army radical side of the Leveller cause, arguing that the soldiers' sacrifices in the war require a settlement based on liberty, indemnity and political security

Sexby says the Army and kingdom require speedy relief, making soldiers' arrears, indemnity and constitutional security part of the reason the debates take place

Sexby takes part for the Army radicals, explaining that soldiers and their advisers have come to present their constitutional demands to the General Council of the Army

Sexby speaks for rank-and-file soldiers pressing for a broader political settlement.

Sexby and the Agitators remain concerned that any compromise must satisfy soldiers who believed the Army had fought for liberty as well as pay and indemnity

Sexby and the Agitators fail to secure adoption of the Leveller Agreement, but the debates leave a lasting record of soldiers demanding political consent