Editing Fifth Monarchists (section)

==Beliefs==
The Fifth Monarchists took their inspiration from the [[four kingdoms of Daniel]]. This prophesied that the Fifth Monarchy, or [[Kingship and kingdom of God|Kingdom of God]], would be preceded by the Babylonian, Persian, Greek and Roman kingdoms. Followers believed the [[execution of Charles I]] in January 1649 marked the end of the Fourth or Roman Monarchy. Several became [[List of regicides of Charles I|regicides]] in the belief his death would usher in the Kingdom of the Saints, or rule by those who were "saved", such as the Fifth Monarchists. The role of these so-called "Saints" was to prepare the masses for the [[Second Coming]], although exactly when this would happen was debated. Based on the [[Book of Revelation]], some believed [[Christ (title)|Christ]] would return in 1666, which corresponded with the biblical [[number of the beast]], while it was also common to refer to a "Thousand Years".{{Sfn|Solt|1961|p=316}} 

Many supported "[[Antinomianism]]", a rejection of the [[Judiciary|legal system]] on the grounds that the "Saved" were not bound by the [[Ten Commandments]], while they also believed it was their duty to resist any regime which hindered the coming of the Kingdom. Although the movement eventually split between those who opposed violence, the "suffering Saints", and the "insurrectionist Saints" like [[Thomas Venner]] who advocated taking up arms, these beliefs caused [[Oliver Cromwell]] and later contemporaries to see them as wild revolutionaries and enemies of the established order.{{Sfn|Solt|1961|p=318}}