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The Battle of Sedgemoor 1685
The last battle fought on English soil
What was the Monmouth Rebellion?
The Battle of Sedgemoor, fought on 6
th
July 1685 on the moors on the edge of
Westonzoyland, was the last major battle on English soil when Englishmen took
up arms against fellow Englishmen. The battle was a climax of a rebellion led by
the Protestant Duke of Monmouth attempting to overthrow James II the Catholic
King of England.
Why did it happen?
King Charles II had kept the political and religious tensions of his court and
country under control but when James, his autocratic brother, succeeded him in
February 1685 suspicion was rife. Monmouth was Charles’ eldest, but
illegitimate, son and had been brought up at court by his father’s side. He was a
charismatic and courageous man who had earned great honours on the
battlefield and became a natural focus for all who opposed James. He was living
in exile in Holland when his father died but was soon encouraged to return and
lead a rebellion against King James.
Over a period of 25 remarkable days from landing at Lyme Regis until the battle
in Westonzoyland, Monmouth recruited a rebel army of almost 10,000 men,
marched over 200 miles to Keynsham and Bath, had three minor skirmishes with
Royalist forces before succumbing to the Royal Army with huge losses.
Monmouth himself was beheaded. Nevertheless, the consequences were far
reaching, in many ways shaping English politics up to the present day.
The Duke of Monmouth
James II
The Aftermath.
300 rebels and 200 Royalists were killed on the battlefield; 1000 rebels were
killed as they fled; 320 were executed; 750 were transported as bonded slaves.
The Monmouth Rebellion is a fascinating story of ordinary people being
motivated to take up arms to fight for what they believed. So why not learn
more:
* Visit Westonzoyland Church where 500 prisoners were held after the battle
in appalling conditions until the infamous Bloody Assizes.
* Walk to the Battlefield Memorial and imagine what it was like to have been
there on that fateful misty morning.
* Visit St Mary’s Church where Monmouth climbed the tower to spy the Royal
Army.
* Visit the Blake Museum which has displays about the battle.
* Visit the villages of Chedzoy, Middlezoy and Othery which all share part of
the story.
Westonzoyland now has a visitor centre at the Church. For more information
and a full story about the Monmouth Rebellion, visit
www.zoylandheritage.co.uk/
Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
Contact:
Blake Museum
5 Blake Street
Bridgwater, Somerset
TA6 3NB
Tel: 01278 456127
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