7. John of Leiden: King of Münster
In 1534, John of Leiden seized control of the German city of Münster, proclaiming himself “King of the New Jerusalem” and establishing a radical Anabaptist theocracy. Claiming divine right and attracting fervent followers, John aimed to create a new holy monarchy destined to spread across Europe.
His dramatic reign, marked by polygamy and communal ownership, nearly transformed Münster into the center of a revolutionary kingdom. Ultimately, a siege crushed the movement, but John’s vision briefly threatened to reshape European power structures. Encyclopedia Britannica
