Anabaptists: Apocalypticism, Sex and Violence

Imagine Helter Skelter coming down hard&heavy in medieval Germany. Mansonesque charismatic cult-leader included. throw some free love, deadly devotion and apocalyptic bible-interpretation in the mix, and you have a sordid combination on your hands. (Or IN your hands, if you bought this book).

In the election for city councillors in February 1534, Anabaptists gained control of the city of M nster, Germany. The city was declared 'the New Jerusalem' and Christ's second coming was expected by Easter 1534.

The city was besieged by the local prince-bishop for 16 months and eventually fell in June 1535. During this 16 month period M nster was ruled by a new 'King David' and polygamy and a whole set of "rules" was instituted. Resistance to this alternate reality was violently crushed.

This book by the eccentric Victorian scholar Referend S. Baring-Gould is largely based on the account of Hermann von Kerssenbroeck, who witnessed first-hand how peaceful Anabaptism transformed into an apocalyptic blend of sex and violence.

Gee, if th t doesn't sound like a swell story, we don't know what will...

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