Church History in Plain Language

by Bruce L. Shelley

When the bishop of the region massed his troops to besiege the city, these Anabaptists uncharacteristically defended themselves by arms. As the siege progressed, the more extreme leaders gained control of the city. In the summer of 1534 a former innkeeper, Jan of Leiden, seized the powers of government and ruled as an absolute despot. Claiming new revelations from God, Jan introduced the Old Testament practice of polygamy and by September took the title “King David.” With his harem “King David” lived in splendor, yet by a strange cunning he maintained morale in the city in spite of widespread hunger. He was able to keep the bishop’s army at bay until June 24, 1535. The fall of the city brought an end to David’s reign. But for centuries thereafter Europeans, upon hearing “Anabaptist,” thought of the Munster rebellion. It stood for wild-eyed religious fanaticism.