>>but the sect were not content with being let alone. etc.
Never knew sect is a plural singular.<<

Hmmm! Interesting, Bran. I think it might depend on what you're saying about the sect. E.g., I would definitely say, "The sect was a strict one," rather than "were"
In the e.g. that you give, the context is the members of the sect were not comtent, whereas in my e.g. it is a function of the sect itself. I don't know if I'm right or not (and someone here will soon tell me! smile ) but that seems a logical analysis.

I'm immortal until proven otherwise