Münster rebellion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anabaptist Dominion of Münster
Täuferreich von Münster
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| 1534–1535 | |||||||||
The city of Münster under siege by prince bishop Franz von Waldeck in 1534. The picture shows the first attack at Pentecost.
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| Capital | Münster | ||||||||
| Religion | Anabaptism | ||||||||
| Government | Communal theocratic monarchy | ||||||||
| King | |||||||||
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• 1534-1535
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John of Leiden | ||||||||
| Historical era | Protestant Reformation | ||||||||
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• Established
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February 1534 | ||||||||
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• Disestablished
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June 24, 1535 | ||||||||
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| Today part of | Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany | ||||||||
The Münster rebellion was a big event in the German city of Münster. It happened in the 1530s. A group called the Anabaptists tried to create a special government there. They wanted a government based on their religious beliefs.
Münster was part of a larger area called the Prince-Bishopric of Münster. This area was then part of the Holy Roman Empire. The Anabaptists took control of the city in February 1534. They ruled until June 1535.
A man named Melchior Hoffman started the idea of adult baptism. This means people were baptized as adults, not as babies. His ideas helped lead to the events in Münster.
Contents
The Anabaptist Rebellion
After a big conflict called the German Peasants' War (1524–1525), a new attempt to set up a religious government happened. This was in Münster, in a region called Westphalia. The Anabaptists became very strong there.
Key leaders joined their cause. These included Bernhard Rothmann, a pastor, and important citizens. Among them were Jan Matthys, a baker, and Jan Bockelson, a tailor.
Spreading New Ideas
Bernhard Rothmann wrote many pamphlets. These were like small books or flyers. At first, they criticized the Catholic Church. But soon, they started saying that the Bible taught that all people should be equal. This included sharing wealth.
These pamphlets were sent all over northern Germany. They asked poor people to come to Münster. They promised that everyone would share the town's wealth. They also said people would gain spiritual benefits.
Anabaptists Take Control
Many Anabaptists came to Münster. Because of this, Rothmann and his friends easily won the city elections. They made Bernhard Knipperdolling the mayor. The old leaders, who were mostly Lutherans, were removed.
Jan Matthys was a follower of Melchior Hoffman. After Hoffman was put in prison, Matthys gained many followers. John of Leiden was one of them. John of Leiden visited Münster and saw that Rothmann was teaching similar ideas.
Matthys believed Münster was the "New Jerusalem" (a holy city). So, in January 1534, his followers came to the city. They started practicing adult baptism. Rothmann was baptized again that day. Soon, over 1000 adults were re-baptized.
The Anabaptists prepared to defend their new city. They also wanted to spread their beliefs. Many Lutherans left Münster, but more Anabaptists arrived. They removed religious statues and images from churches. Re-baptism became required for everyone. The property of those who left was given to the poor. Soon, all property was declared to be shared by everyone.
The City Under Siege
The city's former leader, Franz von Waldeck, was a bishop. He had been forced out of Münster. So, he gathered an army and surrounded the city. This was called a siege.
In April 1534, on Easter Sunday, Jan Matthys led a group out of the city. He believed he was like a biblical hero, Gideon. He and his twelve followers were captured and killed.
John of Leiden Becomes King
After Matthys died, the 25-year-old John of Leiden became the new leader. He said he had visions from heaven. His power grew. He eventually declared himself a king, like David from the Bible. He took on royal clothes and honors. He had total power in the new "Zion" (another name for a holy city).
During the year-long siege, most people in Münster were starving. John of Leiden made rules about marriage. He himself took many wives.
The Fall of Münster
The city resisted for a long time. But on June 24, 1535, the besieging army finally broke through. John of Leiden and other Anabaptist leaders were captured.
In January 1536, John of Leiden, Bernhard Knipperdolling, and another leader, Bernhard Krechting, were executed. Their bodies were put in cages. These cages were hung from the steeple of St. Lambert's Church. The bones were removed later, but the cages are still there today.
What Happened Next
The Münster Rebellion was a big turning point for the Anabaptist movement. After this, they never again had a chance to gain political power. Both Catholic and Lutheran leaders took strong actions to stop them.
Some Anabaptist groups, like the Batenburgers, continued to believe in using force. They thought it was okay to fight against anyone not in their group. Their movement went underground. Members pretended to be Catholic or Lutheran when needed.
However, other Anabaptists chose a different path. Leaders like Menno Simons and the brothers Obbe and Dirk Philips rejected violence. This group became known as the Mennonites. They believed in peace and love, even for their enemies.
In August 1536, different Anabaptist groups met in Bocholt. They wanted to stay united. They discussed whether to use force and how to handle marriage. They agreed not to use force against authorities. But this meeting did not stop the Anabaptist movement from splitting into many different groups.
Images for kids
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Poster for "The Golden City," an immersive drama.
