Narrative of the Anabaptist madness : : the overthrow of Munster, the famous Metropolis of Westphalia / / by Hermann von Kerssenbrock ; translated with introduction and notes by Christopher S. Mackay.

• Superior document: Studies in the history of Christian traditions, v. 132
• Author: Kerssenbroch, Hermann von, ca. 1520-1585.
• TeilnehmendeR: Mackay, Christopher S., 1962-
• Year of Publication: 2007
• Language: English
• Series: Studies in the history of Christian traditions ; v. 132.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (790 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

This is the only accurate translation of the main contemporary historical source for the Anabaptist kingdom of Münster (1534-35). Written by Hermann von Kerssenbrock, a young Catholic eyewitness who later became a schoolmaster, the monumental Latin original was never printed during the author’s life, and circulated only in manuscript format until the editio princeps of 1899/1900; the only previous translation was an unreliable German version written in 1771. This work contains a number of documents not otherwise available, and the author’s conceptions have had a profound influence on later interpretations of the lurid events surrounding one of the most unusual occurrences of the German Reformation. The extensive introduction and notes place the text in its historical context.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations -- Acknowledgements -- Note on the text and notes -- General introduction -- Bibliography -- Herman of Kessenbrock, Historical narrative of the Anabaptist madness -- Title page -- Introduction -- States are overthrown by God because of their sins -- Beginnings of the city of Munster -- Location of the city and nature of the people -- Fortifications of the city -- Descriptions of the city's churches -- Public and private places and buildings of the city, its amenities, and a few of its customs -- Dual jurisdiction in the city -- Division of the city's inhabitants into estates -- Omens and prodigies that foretold uproars in Westphalia and the destruction of the city of Munster -- The events of 1524-1525 -- The events of 1526 -- The events of 1527 -- The events of 1531 -- The events of 1532 -- The events of 1533 -- The events of 1534 -- The events of 1535 -- The events of 1536 -- The events of 1538-1553 -- Index.