Fifth Monarchy Men

American  

noun

English History.

1. (during the Commonwealth in the 17th century) a militant sect of Puritans who identified the fifth monarchy with the millennial reign of Christ and who believed they should help to inaugurate that reign by force.

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Example Sentences

These regarded themselves as called, in consequence of their being inspired by God's Spirit, to form the “kingdom of the saints” on earth promised in the last days, and hence also, from Daniel ii. and vii., they were called Fifth Monarchy Men.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, on the 6th of January 1661, a band of fifth monarchy men, headed by a cooper named Thomas Venner, 332 who was one of their preachers, made an attempt to obtain possession of London.

From Project Gutenberg

A band of wild and crazy enthusiasts, denominated Fifth Monarchy men, troubled the peace of the city in the beginning of the following year.

From Project Gutenberg

Says Riesman: "There aren't many people who have enough knowledge of the Fifth Monarchy Men of the 1640s and of demographics to advance those two thoughts."

From Time Magazine Archive

Meanwhile the plot of Venner and of the Fifth Monarchy men had been suppressed in January 1661, and the king was crowned on the 23rd of April.

From Project Gutenberg