Henry Prince
Born in 1811
Died in 1899
Prince, who qualified as a medic at Guy’s Hospital, ironically changed careers through ill health. Studying at St David’s Lampeter his charisma made him the centre of religious zealotry. Installed as a curate in Somerset Prince seemingly experienced ‘possessions’, his flock rapidly expanding as a result. Unorthodox and dubious practices saw him defrocked. After sojourns in Stoke-by-Clare, Weymouth and Brighton Prince and his followers established their religious commune of Agapemone (Abode of Love) in Spaxton, Somerset. Members – mainly well-to-do young women - gave their worldly goods to the sect, and some entered ‘spiritual marriages’ with the leaders, one famously non-platonic version publically consummated on a billiard table.
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