Christian Cyclopedia

(or Tragedy). Jan Matthys (many variant spellings; d. 1534), a baker of Haarlem, Neth., and disciple of M. Hofmann,* announced 1533 that he was the Enoch foretold by Hofmann and gained a following in Münster, Westphalia, Ger. Aided by Bernhard Rothmann (Bernard; Bernd; Bernt; Rottmann; ca. 1495–ca. 1535; cleric educ. at Deventer, Neth., in the school of the Brethren of the Common Life), B. Knipperdolling,* and John* of Leiden, Matthys tried to make Münster the New Jerusalem. Control of the city was taken by force. Knipperdolling became mayor 1534. Opponents of Anabaps. were driven out. Communism and polygamy were est. After Matthys' death, John of Leiden became leader and king. Bp. Franz von Waldeck (ca. 1492–1553) and others led the forces that captured Münster 1535. Many Anabaps. were massacred; their leaders were executed with savage torture. See also Millennium, 5.