A Very British Cult

The narrative delves into the intriguing history of a Victorian religious sect led by Henry James Prince, a flamboyant Anglican priest who claimed to be a divine conduit. His followers, primarily women, engaged in unconventional practices, believing they could achieve direct ascension to heaven. Following Prince's death, John Hugh Smyth-Pigott, the "Clapton Messiah," took over, further escalating the sect's notoriety. Through primary sources, the book reveals the lives affected by this cult, including forced marriages and escapes, while exploring the societal outrage it provoked.