End of the Münster Rebellion
- When
- 1535–1536
- Where
- Münster; Münster marketplace
- Episodes
- 2
The Anabaptist state in Münster, established in 1534, fell to besieging forces on 24 June 1535. The conquest ended the radical theocracy, leading to the subsequent execution of its leaders in early 1536.
Episodes
- Fall of Münster
The besieging forces captured the city after lengthy resistance, ending the Anabaptist rule.
- Execution of Leaders
Prominent Anabaptist leaders were tortured and executed in the marketplace in January 1536.
Background and detail
Background. Radical Anabaptists seized the city hall in February 1534, installing Bernhard Knipperdolling as mayor. This established a communal sectarian government within the Prince-Bishopric of Münster, marking the start of the rebellion.
Conquest. After a year of resistance and siege, the besieging forces captured the city on 24 June 1535. This event marked the definitive end of the Anabaptist dominion and the disbanding of their state.
Aftermath. In January 1536, prominent leaders including John of Leiden and Bernhard Knipperdolling were tortured and executed in the marketplace. Their corpses were displayed in metal cages on the tower of St. Lambert's Church.
People involved
- Bernhard Knipperdolling · Mayor and leader of the Anabaptist state
- John of Leiden · Leader of the Anabaptist rebellion
Sources
- Münster rebellion Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-06
- Münster Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-07
Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.