THE MUNSTERS, Chapter 12 of Holy Priesthood Volume 4

THE MUNSTERS,   Chapter 12 of Holy Priesthood Volume 4

http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=126

Pages 131 to 143

Defended Polygamy with their Lives

Of the several different polygamous advocates and societies, none has proved as unusual and interesting as that of John Bockelson (John of Leyden) and his Anabaptist followers in Munster, Germany, during the mid-1500’s. “Anabaptists” was the name given to those who denied the validity of infant baptism, among other things, and were the extreme left in the army of the Reformers.

John Bockelson was born an illegitimate son of the mayor in a small Dutch town near Leydon, Holland. He was trained as a tailor but soon ventured into other fields. He became restless and traveled throughout Europe and later spent four years in England. He loved poetry and acting and soon found his gift as an eloquent orator. His success came quickly when he became a preacher in the Anabaptist movement that was spreading across Holland in 1533. The leader of this new revival was Jan Matthy who selected John for a mission to Munster, Germany, to convert the town from other Protestants and Catholics. John did just that. His success was phenomenal, and the town was soon converted to the Anabaptists.