S Baring-Gould

Anabaptists S Baring-Gould

"Guaranteed to make the reader reflect on the apocalypticism and violence we are witnessing today." 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 Münster, 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 Münster 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 thát doesn't sound like a swell story, we don't know what will... Notoir Books is a publisher of books on topics of esoteric interests, eccentric memoirs, overlooked history, otherworldly stories and distinctive voices. You can visit us at notoirbooks.com.