Unlike Hoffman, Jan Matthys believed that Christ would establish his millennial reign in Munster, a city in Northern Germany. Also unlike Hoffman, Matthys led a group of disciples to Munster where they seized control of the government and began the painstaking process of purifying the city of sinners in preparation for Christ’s imminent return. 

Matthys believed it was his Christian duty to purge Musnter of sinners by either converting them or killing them. The bewildered and alarmed citizens of Munster were given a choice between converting to Anabaptism or facing death. Large numbers fled the city as Matthys set up what would later be known as the Anabaptist Kingdom of Munster. 

The Catholic Bishop who had fled in the face of Matthys’ threats soon returned with a large army and besieged the city. Matthys was killed and succeeded by a follower, Jan of Leiden as king. Leiden took Matthys teachings a step further by introducing communal ownership of goods and polygamy. Eventually Leiden also became a casualty of war.