Francis Howgill (1618-November 20, 1668) was a prominent early member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in England. He preached and wrote on the teachings of the Friends and is considered one of the Valiant Sixty--men and women who were early proponents of Friends beliefs and who suffered for those beliefs. Events March 8 - Johannes Kepler discovers the third law of planetary motion (he soon rejects the idea after some initial calculations were made but on May 15 confirms the discovery). ... November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1668 (MDCLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Religious Society of Friends (commonly known as Quakers) began in England in the 17th century by people who were dissatisfied with the existing denominations and sects of Christianity. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2006 est. ... The Valiant Sixty were a group of early leaders and activists in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). ...

Howgill was born in a farming community in Westmorland in northern England. He made his living as a farmer and a tailor. He had studied theology and wondered which sect or denomination was the right one. He explored the teachings of the Anabaptists, the Independents, and the Seekers. Howgill was a leader and preacher among the Seekers in Westmorland when he first encountered George Fox, an early leader in the Friends movement. While hearing George Fox preach in 1652 on a hill called Firbank Fell, he was convinced that the Friends message was true. Westmorland (formerly also spelt Westmoreland, an even older spelling is Westmerland) is an area of north west England and one of the 39 historic counties of England. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2006 est. ... Anabaptists (Greek ανα (again) +βαπτιζω (baptize), thus, re-baptizers [1], German: Wiedertäufer) are Christians of the Radical Reformation. ... The Seekers were a dissenting group in the time of the Commonwealth of England. ... Westmorland (formerly also spelt Westmoreland, an even older spelling is Westmerland) is an area of north west England and one of the 39 historic counties of England. ... 19th-century engraving of George Fox, based on a painting of unknown date. ... 19th-century engraving of George Fox, based on a painting of unknown date. ... Firbank Fell is a hill in Westmorland between the towns of Kendal and Sedbergh that is renowned as a place where George Fox, an early leader in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), preached. ...

Soon after his convincement, Howgill was imprisoned in Appleby-in-Westmorland for following his Quaker beliefs. Afterwards he met Edward Burrough. The two of them spread the Quaker message together and became close friends. They established the Religious Society of Friends in London. They also worked in Bristol and Ireland. Appleby, fully Appleby-in-Westmorland, is a town in Northwest England. ... Edward Burrough (1634 - 1663) was an early British Quaker leader and controversialist. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Bristol (IPA: ) is a city, unitary authority and ceremonial county in South West England, 115 miles (185 km) west of London and between the cities of Bath, Gloucester and the borough of Swindon. ...

The Quakers in London came under the influence of James Nayler. When Fox parted company with Nayler in 1656, Howgill tried unsuccessfully to bring about a reconciliation. James Nayler (or Naylor) (1618–1660) was an English Quaker leader. ...

Howgill was married first to a woman named Dorothy. After her death in 1657 he married Mary, who is counted, along with him, as one of the Valiant Sixty, a group of early Quaker preachers and missionaries.

Howgill was imprisoned again in Applebey for several years. During that time people came to support him and to seek advice. He died while still in prison.

Works by Howgill

• The Dawnings of the Gospel-Day, and its Light and Glory Discovered, pub. 1676.

External links

• David Murray-Rust's History of Quakerism
• Texts of Some Epistles by Francis Howgill and Robert Barclay, Jointly
• The Quaker Women Online entry for Hester Biddle, who converted to Quakerism after hearing Burrough and Francis Howgill preach