Bokelszoon (Beukelszoon, Bockelson, Bockhold), Johann

BOKELSZOON (Beukelszoon, Bockelson, Bockhold), Johann. - Leader of Anabaptism in Germany, and better known under the name of John of Leiden, b. at Münster around 1509, and d. executed in the same city in 1536. He did not decide to embrace the new doctrines until after a visit to Münster to hear the "fine Anabaptist preachers," to whom he adhered. In 1533 he returned definitively to Münster, where, John Matthiesen having been killed at the beginning of 1534, he married his widow and became an "apostle."

Exploiting the turmoils of that city, the audacity of this demagogue knew no limits. On 25 April 1534, at his suggestion, banishment was decreed for all those who did not accept the new baptism. Churches, monasteries, libraries were destroyed; community of goods was also introduced. Alleging a revelation from heaven, he abolished the magistracy, installed twelve of his own judges, then himself took, with the title of king, the government of the city of Zion, as he called Münster, and ruled as an absolute tyrant. He introduced polygamy and it is said that he took 16 wives. In a manifesto he proclaimed his imminent expedition to chastise all the kingdoms of the earth and subject them to himself, and he was already dividing the neighboring countries among his confederates. The disorder reached its height. Only after a 10-month siege did the prince-archbishop of Münster, aided by the troops of other princes, succeed in taking the city (25 June 1535). B., his chancellor Krechting, his executioner Knipperdolling were, after many insults, executed, and their limbs, shut in iron cages, hung on the tower of St. Lambert.