In 1651, two London tailors, Lodowicke Muggleton and John Reeve, announced themselves as the final prophets foretold in the Book of Revelation. Their movement, known as Muggletonianism, was defined by a strict adherence to scripture, an opposition to philosophical rationality, a belief in the oneness of the Father and Son, and an anti-Newtonian worldview which placed the Earth at the center of the universe. Rather than engaging in worship, the group met only to discuss and socialize with one another.

In 1846, mapmaker and Muggletonian Isaac Frost created a set of oil color prints to illustrate the sect's geocentric worldview. Presumably, these images would have circulated only within the small circle of practicing Muggletonians, as the group had a strict mandate against proselytizing. Nevertheless, the sect survived for over 300 years until the last Muggletonian died in 1979. The sect also made a name for itself by issuing curses against those who opposed them (Sir Walter Scott was a notable recipient).