The Whalebone was an eatery on Lothbury"Radical politics in the 1640s: locating the Whalebone", Dorian Gerhold, '' London Topographical Society Newsletter'', No. 84 (May 2017), pp. 8-10. in the

City of London The City of London, also known as ''the City'', is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county and Districts of England, local government district with City status in the United Kingdom, city status in England. It is the Old town, his ...

that was a meeting place for the

Leveller The Levellers were a political movement active during the English Civil War who were committed to popular sovereignty, extended suffrage, equality before the law and religious tolerance. The hallmark of Leveller thought was its populism, as sh ...

movement in the mid 17th century. The Levellers described themselves as "whaleboners" in an early printed declaration, and their leader

John Lilburne John Lilburne (c. 161429 August 1657), also known as Freeborn John, was an English political Leveller before, during and after the English Civil Wars 1642–1650. He coined the term "'' freeborn rights''", defining them as rights with which e ...

would read various declarations and lead meetings there.

Henry Ireton Henry Ireton (baptised 3 November 1611; died 26 November 1651) was an English general in the Parliamentarian army during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, and a son-in-law of Oliver Cromwell. He died of disease outside Limerick in November 165 ...

Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell (25 April 15993 September 1658) was an English statesman, politician and soldier, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in British history. He came to prominence during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, initially ...

's son-in-law, sent spies to the Whalebone to observe the Levellers. It was referred to as one of the Levellers' 'Houses of Parliament', along with the Mouth Inn in Aldersgate. The Windmill Tavern was similarly associated with the Levellers.

References

{{Coord, 51, 30, 52.98, N, 0, 5, 16.48, W, scale:1563_region:GB, display=title Demolished buildings and structures in London Former buildings and structures in the City of London Levellers