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This article is a review of the book A Sincere and Constant Love: An Introduction to the Work of Margaret Fell, edited with introductions by Terry S. Wallace, Friends United Press, 1992, $10.95 U.S..
This book includes some key writings by Margaret Fell, with historical introductions by Terry Wallace. The writings include ones important in the early years of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), plus ones about Fell and her second husband, George Fox, generally considered the founder of Quakerism.
Margaret Fell
Margaret Fell, later Margaret Fell Fox, was a key figure in early Quakerism. She has been referred to as the "nursing mother" of Quakerism, as her home at Swarthmoor Hall" became not only one of the centers of their spiritual network, but also one of their major administrative and communications focal points. Her decisions, material assistance, and spiritual support in spite of the most adverse conditions and hostile opposition." (p. iii)
She was born Margaret Askew in 1614 in Lancashire, England. She was born into the landed gentry, and married in her late teens to an older man, also of the landed gentry, Thomas Fell. Thomas Fell was a highly respected judge, and several times a Member of Parliament. Because he rode a circuit as a judge, he was away for long periods of time. While he was away, he left their estate at Swarthmoor in the hands of Margaret, in whose rather considerable administrative talents he obviously had great confidence. She often was serving simultaneously as a mother, administrator of a large estate, and coordinator of a scattered network of traveling Friends' ministers. Among other things, she also wrote a number of works and lobbied extensively in London on behalf of Friends. By all accounts, she was very effective at all the tasks to which she set her hand. She persevered despite imprisonment and forfeiture of her estate. She died in 1702 at the age of 88, the last surviving leader of the first generation of Friends.
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