Münster, was lodged in the house of Knipperdolling, in which also
dwelt John Bockleson. The deserter observed that the Leyden prophet
was wont to leave his bedroom at night, and he ventured to watch
his conduct and satisfy himself that it was not what it ought to
be.[188] He mentioned to others what he had observed. The scandal
would soon get wind. One only way remained to cut it short. John
Bockleson consulted with Rottmann and the other preachers, and urged
that polygamy should be not only sanctioned but enjoined on the
elect.
[188] _Ibid._ p. 38; H. Montfort., p. 28.
Some of those present having objected to this new doctrine, the
prophet cast his mantle and the New Testament on the ground, and
solemnly swore that this which he enjoined was the direct revelation
of the Almighty. He threatened the recalcitrant ministers, and at
last, half-persuaded and wholly frightened, they withdrew their
objections; and he appointed the pastors three days in which to
preach polygamy to the people.[189] The new doctrine having been
ventilated, an assembly of the people was called, and it was
formerly laid down by the prophet as the will of God, that every man
was to have as many wives as he wanted.[190]
[189] Sleidan, p. 414; Dorp. f 396.
[190] Kerssenbroeck, p. 38.
The result of this new step was to bring about a reaction which for
a moment threatened the prophet's domination with downfall.
On the 30th July, Heinrich Mollenhecke, a blacksmith, supported by
two hundred citizens, burghers and artisans, declared openly that
he was resolved to put down the new masters of Münster, and to
restore everything upon the ancient footing. With the assistance
of his companions, he captured Bockleson, Knipperdolling, and the
preachers Rottmann, Schlachtscap, Clopris, and Vinnius, and cast
them into prison. Then a council was held, and it was resolved
that the gates should be opened to the bishop, the old magistracy
should be restored, and the exiled burgesses should be recalled,
and their property restored to them: and that all this should be
done _on the morrow_. Had it been done on the spot we should have
heard no more of John of Leyden. The delay saved him and ruined the
reactionary party. It allowed time for his adherents to muster.[191]
Mollenhecke and his party, when they met on the following morning
to execute their design, were attacked and surrounded by a
multitude of fanatics headed by Heinrich Redecker. The blacksmith
had succeeded in collecting only a handful. "No pen can describe
the rage with which their adversaries fell upon them, and the
refinements of cruelty to which they became victims. After having
overwhelmed them with blows and curses, they were imprisoned, but
they continued inflicting upon them such horrible tortures that
the majority of these unfortunates would have a thousand times
preferred death."[192] Ninety-one were ordered to instant execution.
Twenty-five were shot, the other sixty-six were decapitated by
Knipperdolling to economize powder, and lest the sound of the
discharge of firearms within the city should lead the besiegers to
believe that fighting was going on in the streets. Some had their
heads cut off, others were tied to a tree and shot, others again
were cut asunder at the waist, and others were slowly mutilated.
Knipperdolling himself executed the men, so many every day, in the
presence of the prophet, till all were slain.[193]
[191] Kerssenbroeck, p. 39 _et seq._; Heresbach, pp. 41, 42; H.
Montfort., pp. 29, 30; Bullinger, lib. ii. c. 9, p. 56.
[192] Kerssenbroeck, p. 40.
[193] _Ibid._ p. 41; Dorpius, f. 536 b.
"The partisans of the emancipation of the flesh having thus obtained
the mastery in Münster," says the eye-witness, "it was impossible,
a few days later, to discover in the capital of Westphalia the last
and feeble traces of modesty, chastity, and self-restraint."
Three men, John [OE]chinckfeld, Henry Arnheim, and Hermann Bispinck,
having, however, the hardihood to assert that they still believed
that Christian marriage consisted in the union of one man with one
woman, were decapitated by order of John of Leyden.[194]
[194] H. Montfort., p. 29; C. Heresbach, p. 42.
With the death of these men disappeared every attempt at resistance.
The horrors which were perpetrated in Münster under the name of
religious liberty almost exceed belief. The most frantic licence
and savage debauchery were practised. The prophet took two wives,
besides his favourite sultana, the beautiful Divara, widow of
Matthisson, and his lawful wife at Leyden. These were soon
discovered to be too few, and the harem swelled daily.[195]
[195] Kerssenbroeck, p. 42. Dorpius confirms the horrible account
given by Kerssenbroeck from what he saw himself, f. 498.
"We must draw a veil," says Kerssenbroeck, "over what took place,
for we should scandalise our readers were we to relate in detail
the outrageous scenes of immorality which took place in the town,
and the villanies which these maniacs committed to satisfy their
abominable lusts. They were no more human beings, they were foul and
furious beasts. The hideous word _Spiritus meus concupiscit carnem
tuam_ was in every mouth; those who resisted these magic words
were shut up in the convent of Rosenthal; and if they persisted in
their obstinacy after exhortation, their heads were cut off. In one
day four were simultaneously executed on this account. On another
occasion a woman was sentenced to be decapitated, after childbirth,
for having complained of her husband having taken to himself a
second wife."[196]
[196] Kerssenbroeck, p. 43 _et seq._
Henry Schlachtscap preached that no man after the Ascension of
Christ had lived in true matrimony, if he had contracted marriage on
account of beauty, wealth, family, and similar causes, for that true
marriage consisted solely in that which was instigated by the Spirit.
A new prophet now appeared upon the scene, named Dusentscheuer,
a native of Warendorf. He rushed into the market-place uttering
piercing cries, and performing such extraordinary antics that a
crowd was speedily gathered around him.
Then, addressing himself to the multitude, he exclaimed, "Christian
brothers, the celestial Father has revealed to me, and has commanded
me to announce to you, that John Bockelson of Leyden, the saint and
prophet of God, must be king of the whole earth; his authority will
extend over emperors, kings, princes, and all the powers of the
world; he will be the chief authority; and none shall arise above
him. He will occupy the throne of his father David, and will carry
the sceptre till the Lord reclaims it from him."[197]
[197] _Ibid._ p. 47; Sleidan, p. 419; Bullinger, lib. ii. p.
56; Montfort., p. 31; Heresbach, pp. 136-7, "Historia von d.
Münsterischen Widerteuffer," f. 328 b; Dorpius, f. 397.
Bockelson and the twelve elders were present. A profound silence
reigned in the assembly. Dusentscheuer, advancing to the elders,
demanded their swords of office; they surrendered them into his
hands; he placed eleven at the feet of Bockelson, and put the
twelfth into his hand, saying--"Receive the sword of justice, and
with it the power to subjugate all nations. Use it so that thou
mayst be able to give a good account thereof to Christ, when He
shall come to judge the quick and the dead."[198] Then drawing from
his pocket a phial of fragrant oil, he poured it over the tailor's
head, pronouncing solemnly the words, "I consecrate thee in the
presence of thy people, in the name of God, and by His command,
and I proclaim thee king of the new Zion." When the unction was
performed, Bockelson cast himself in the dust and exclaimed, "O
Father! I have neither years, nor wisdom, nor experience, necessary
for such sovereignty; I appeal to Thy grace, I implore Thy
assistance and Thy all-powerful protection!... Send down upon me,
therefore, Thy divine wisdom. May Thy glorious throne descend on me,
may it dwell with me, may it illumine my labours; then shall I be
able to accomplish Thy will and Thy good pleasure, and thus shall I
be able to govern Thy people with equity and justice."
[198] Kerssenbroeck, p. 43 _et seq._
Then, turning himself towards the crowd, Bockelson declared that he
had long known by revelation the glory that was to be his, but he
had never mentioned it, lest he should be deemed ambitious, but had
awaited in patience and humility the accomplishment of God's holy
will. He concluded by saying that, destined by the Father to reign
over the whole world, he would use the sword, and slay all those who
should venture to oppose him.[199]
Nevertheless murmurs of disapprobation were heard. "What!" thundered
the Leyden tailor, "you dare to resist the designs of God! Know
then, that even were you all to oppose me, I should nevertheless
become king of the whole earth, and that my royalty, which begins
now in this spot, will last eternally."
The new prophet Dusentscheuer and the other preachers harangued the
people during three consecutive days on the new revelation, read to
the people the 23rd chapter of Jeremiah and the 27th of Ezekiel, and
announced that in the King John the prophecies of the old seers were
accomplished, for that he was the new David whom God had promised
to raise up in the latter days. They also read aloud the 13th
chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, and accompanied the
lecture with commentaries on the necessity and divine obligation of
submission to authority.[199]
[199] Kerssenbroeck, p. 47; and the authors before quoted.
At the expiration of these three days, Dusentscheuer requested John
of Leyden to complete the spoliation of the inhabitants, so that
everything they possessed might be placed in a common fund. "It
has been revealed to me," said he, "that the Father is violently
irritated against the men and women because they have abused
grievously their food and drink and clothing. The Father requires
for the future, that no one of either sex shall retain more than
two complete suits and four shirts; the rest must be collected and
placed in security. It is the will of the Lord that the provisions
of beef and pork found in every house shall also be seized and be
consecrated to the general use."[200]
[200] Kerssenbroeck, p. 49.
The order was promptly obeyed. Eighty-three large waggons were laden
with confiscated clothes, and all the provisions found in the city
were brought to the king, who confided the care and apportionment of
them to Dusentscheuer.
Bockelson now organised his court with splendour. He appointed
his officers, chamberlain, stewards, marshals, and equerries, in
imitation of the Court of the Emperor and Princes of Germany.
Rottmann was named his chaplain; Andrew von Coesfeld, director of
police; Hermann Tilbeck, grand-marshal; Henry Krechting, chancellor;
Christopher Waldeck, the bishop's son, who had fallen into his
power, was in derision made one of the pages; and a privy council
of four, composed of Bernard Krechting, Henry Redecker, and two
others of inferior note, was instituted under the presidency of
Christian Kerkering. John had also a grand-master of the kitchen, a
cup-bearer, taster, carver, gentlemen of the bedchamber, &c.[201]
[201] _Ibid._ p. 55 Montfort., pp. 31-3; Sleidan, p. 418;
Bullinger, p. 57; Heresbach, pp. 137-8.
But John Bockelson not only desired to be surrounded by a court; he
determined also to display all the personal splendour of royalty.
Accordingly, at his order, two crowns of pure gold were made,
one royal, the other imperial, encrusted with jewels. Around his
neck hung a gold chain enriched with precious stones, from which
depended a globe of the same metal transfixed by two swords, one
of gold, the other of silver. The globe was surmounted by a cross
which bore the inscription, "Ein König der Gerechtigkeit über all"
(a King of Righteousness over all). His sceptre, spurs, baldrick and
scabbard were also of gold, and his fingers blazed with diamonds.
On one of the rings, which was exceedingly massive, was cut, "Der
König in dem nyen Tempel furet dit zeichen vur sein Exempel" (the
King of the new Temple bears this symbol as his token). The royal
garments were magnificent, of crimson and purple, and costly stuffs
of velvet, silk, and gold and silver damask, with superb lace cuffs
and collars, and his mantle lined with costly furs. The elders,
the prophets, and the preachers followed suit, and exchanged their
sad-coloured garments for robes of honour in gay colours. The small
house of Knipperdolling no longer contented the tailor-king; he
therefore furnished, and moved into, a handsome mansion belonging
to the noble family of Von Büren. The house next door was converted
into the palace of his queens, and was adorned with royal splendour.
A door of communication, broken through the partition wall, allowed
King John to visit his wives at all hours.
He now took to himself thirteen additional wives, and a large train
of concubines. Among his sixteen legitimate wives was a daughter of
Knipperdolling. Divara of Haarlem remained the head queen, though
she was the oldest. The rest were all under twenty, and were the
most beautiful girls of Münster. They all bore the title of queens,
but Divara alone had a court, officers, and bodyguard, habited in
a livery of chestnut brown and green; the livery of the king being
scarlet and blue.[202]
[202] Kerssenbroeck, p. 55 _et seq._; and the authors above
cited. Kerssenbroeck gives long details of the dress, ornaments,
and manner of life of the king; also "Historia von d.
Münsterischen Widerteuffer," f. 329.
The king usually had his meals with his wives, and during the
repasts he examined them with great attention, feasting his eyes on
their beauty. The names of the sixteen queens were inscribed on a
tablet on which the king, after dinner, designated the lady who had
attracted his favour.[203]
[203] Kerssenbroeck gives the names of all the wives except one,
which he conceals charitably, as the poor child--she was very
young--fell ill, but recovered, and was living respectably after
the siege with her relatives in the city.
The King of Zion had abolished the names of the days of the weeks,
and had replaced them by the seven first letters of the alphabet.
He ordered that whenever a child was born in the town, it should be
announced to him, and then he gave it a name, whose initial letter
corresponded with the letter of the day on which it entered the
world. But, as Kerssenbroeck observes, the debauchery which reigned
in Münster had the result of diminishing the births, so that the
number of children born during the latter part of the siege was
extraordinarily small.
Bockelson had only two children by all his wives, and both were
daughters. Divara was the first to give birth; the event took place
on a Sunday, designated by the letter A; it was given the name of
Averall (for Ueberall--Above all); the second child, born on Monday,
was called Blydam (the Blythe).[204]
[204] Kerssenbroeck, p. 59.
Thrice in the week Bockelson sat in judgment in the market-place
on a throne decked in purple silk, and richly adorned with gold.
He betook himself to this place of audience with great pomp. A
band of musical instruments headed the pageant, then followed
the councillors in purple, and the grand-marshal with the white
wand in his hand. John, wearing the royal insignia, mounted on a
white horse, splendidly caparisoned, followed between two pages
fantastically dressed, one bearing a Bible, the other a naked sword,
symbols of the spiritual and temporal jurisdiction exercised by his
majesty. The bodyguard surrounded his royal person, to keep off the
crowd and to protect him from danger. Knipperdolling, Rottmann, the
secretary Puthmann, and the chancellor Krechting followed; then
the executioner and his four assistants, a train of courtiers, and
servants closed the procession. The whole ceremony was as regal, as
punctiliously observed, as at a royal court where the traditions
date from many centuries.[205]
[205] Kerssenbroeck, p. 62; H. Montfort., p. 33; Hast, p. 363
_et seq._; Sleidan, p. 415; "Historia von de Münsterischen
Widerteuffer," f. 328 b.
When the king reached the market-place, a squire held the horse, he
slowly mounted the steps of the throne, and inclining his sceptre,
announced the opening of the audience.
Then the plaintiffs approached, prostrated themselves flat upon the
ground twice, and spoke. The majority of the cases were matrimonial
complaints, often exceedingly indecent; "the greatest abominations
formulated in the most hideously cynical terms before the most
cynical of judges." Capital sentences, or penalties little less
severe, were pronounced against insubordinate wives.[206]
[206] Kerssenbroeck. Sleidan says, "Almost every case and
complaint brought before him concerned married people and
divorces. For nothing was more frequent, so that persons who had
lived together for many long years now separated for the first
time."--p. 415-6.
The same ceremonial was observed whenever his majesty went to
hear the preaching in the market-square, with the sole exception,
that on this occasion he was accompanied by the sixteen queens,
magnificently dressed. Queen Divara rode a palfrey caparisoned in
furs, led by a page; the court and the fifteen other queens followed
on foot. On reaching the market-place, the ladies entered a house
opposite the throne, and assisted at the sermon, sitting at the
windows.
The pulpit and the throne were side by side; a long broad platform
united them. When the sermon was concluded, the king, his queens,
court, ministers, and the preacher, assembled on the platform and
danced to the strains of the royal band.
It was from this platform that King John, as sovereign pontiff,
blessed polygamous marriages, saying to the brides and the
bridegrooms, "What God hath joined let no man put asunder; go,
act according to the divine law, be fruitful and multiply, and
replenish the earth." This sanction was necessary for the validity
of these unions.
John, wishing to exercise all the prerogatives of royalty, struck
coins of various values, bearing on one side the inscription, "Das
Wort is Fleisch geworden und wohnet unter uns" (The Word was made
flesh and dwelt among us); or "Wer nicht gebohren ist aus Wasser und
Geist der kann nicht eingehen--" the rest on the reverse--"In das
Reich Gottes. Den es ist nur ein rechter König über alle, ein Gott,
ein Glaube, eine Tauffe" (who is not born of Water and the Spirit,
cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. For there is only one true
King over all, one God, one Faith, one Baptism). And in the middle,
"Münster, 1534."
Whilst the city of Münster was thus passing from a republic to a
monarchy, the siege continued; but the besiegers made no progress.
Refugees informed the prince-bishop of what had taken place within
the walls.
On the 25th August he assembled the captains and the princes and
nobles who had come into the camp to observe the proceedings, to
request them to advise him how to put an end to all these horrors
and abominations. It was proposed that a deputation should be sent
into the town to propose a capitulation on equitable terms; and in
the event of a refusal to offer a general assault.[207]
[207] Kerssenbroeck, p. 65 _et seq._; Montfort., pp. 27, 28.
On the 28th August an armistice of three hours' duration was
concluded, and the deputation obtained a safe-conduct authorising
them to enter the city. But instead of being brought before the
inhabitants of the town, to whom they were commissioned to make the
propositions, they were introduced to the presence of Bockelson and
his court.
The envoys informed King John of the terms proposed by the bishop.
They were extremely liberal. He promised a general amnesty if the
place were surrendered, and arms laid down.
King John replied haughtily, that he did not need the clemency of
the prince-bishop, for that he stood strengthened by the almighty
and irresistible power of God. "It is your pretended bishop," said
he, "who is an impious and obstinate rebel, he who makes war without
previous declaration against the faithful servants of the celestial
Father. Never will I lay down my arms which I have taken up for the
defence of the Gospel; never in cowardly fashion will I surrender my
capital: on the contrary, I know how to defend it, even to the last
drop of my blood, if the honour of God requires it."[208]
[208] Kerssenbroeck, p. 21.
The bishop, when he learnt that his deputies had been refused
permission to address the citizens, attached letters, sealed with
his Episcopal seal, to arrows, which were shot into the town. In
these letters he promised a general pardon to all those who would
leave the party of the Anabaptists, and escape from the town before
the following Thursday.
But Bockelson forbade, on pain of death, any one touching or opening
one of these letters, and ordered the instant decapitation of man,
woman, or child who testified anxiety to leave Münster.
The bishop and the princes resolved on attempting an assault without
further delay. John of Leyden received information of their purpose
through his spies. He at once mounted his white horse, convoked the
people, and announced to them that the Father had revealed to him
the day and hour of the projected attack; he appointed his post to
every man, gave employment to the women and children, and displayed,
at this critical moment, the zeal, energy, and readiness which would
have done credit to a veteran general.[209]
[209] Kerssenbroeck, p. 68.
The assault was preluded by a bombardment of three days. The
battlements yielded, breaches were effected in the walls, the roofs
of the houses were shattered, the battered gates gave way, and all
promised success. But the besieged neglected no precaution. During
the night the walls were repaired and the gates strengthened.
Women laboured under the orders of the competent directors during
the hours of darkness, thus allowing their husbands to take their
requisite repose. They carried stones and the munitions of war to
the ramparts, and learning to handle the cross-bow, they succeeded
in committing no inconsiderable amount of execution among the ranks
of the Episcopal army. Other women prepared lime and boiling pitch
"to cook the bishop's soup for him."[210] On the 31st August, at
daybreak, the roar of the Hessian devil, as a large cannon belonging
to the Landgrave Philip was called, gave the signal. Instantly the
city was assaulted in six places. The ditches were filled, petards
were placed under the gates, the palisades were torn down, and
ladders were planted. But however vigorous might be the attack,
the defence was no less vigorous. Those on the walls threw down
the ladders with all upon them, and they fell bruised and mangled
into the fosse, the heads of those who had reached the battlements
were crushed with stones and cudgels, and their hands, clasping the
parapet, were hacked off. Women hurled stones upon the besiegers,
and enveloped them in boiling pitch, quicklime, and blazing sulphur.
[210] _Ibid._ p. 70.
Repulsed, they returned to the charge eight or ten times, but always
in vain. The whole day was consumed in ineffectual assaults, and
when the red sun went down in the west, the clarions pealed the
retreat, and the army, dispirited and bearing with it a train of
wounded, withdrew, leaving the ground strewn with dead.
Had the Anabaptists made a night assault, the defeat and dispersion
of the Episcopal troops would have been completed. But instead, they
sang a hymn and spent the night in banqueting.
The prince-bishop, despondent and at his wits' end for money,
called his officers to a consultation on the 3rd September, and it
was unanimously resolved to turn the investment into an effective
blockade. This resolution was submitted to the electors of Cologne
and Saxony, the Duke of Cleves, and the Landgrave of Hesse, and
these princes approved of the design of Francis von Waldeck.
It was determined to raise seven redoubts, united by ramparts and a
ditch, around the city, so as completely to close it, and prevent
the exit of the besieged and the entrance of provisions. It was
decided that the defence of this circle of forts should be confided
to a sufficient number of tried soldiers, and that the rest of the
army should be dismissed.