The New International Encyclopædia/John of Leyden

​JOHN of Leyden, properly Jan Beukelszoon, Bockelson, or Bockold (c.1510–36). An Anabaptist fanatic. He was born in Leyden about 1510. For a time he wandered about as a journeyman tailor, and then settled in his native city. Adopting the opinions of the Anabaptists (q.v.), he became one of their wandering prophets. In 1533 he went to Münster with Jan Matthys (Matthiesen), and when the latter lost his life in 1534 became his successor. He set aside the ancient constitution of the city, set up in Münster ‘the kingdom of Zion,’ appointed judges, and applied in an extravagant manner the principles of the Old Testament theocracy. He himself became ‘King of Zion.’ He introduced polygamy, and displayed a great love of kingly pomp. The city was the scene of horrid excesses. In June, 1535, it was taken by the Bishop of Münster. John and his chief accomplices suffered death under circumstances of fearful cruelty (January 23, 1536), and his body was suspended in a cage from a church tower. He attempted to save his life by confession and submission.

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