Battle of Sedgemoor

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Battle of Dedgemoor memorial stone
Attribution Geograph © Copyright Ken Grainger and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

Date:

6 July 1685

Location:

Westonzoyland, Somerset, England

Duration:

Around 3 hours starting 2 am

Belligerents:

Kingdom of England

• Strength 3,000
• Losses: 200 killed or wounded

Monmouth Rebels

• Strength: 4,000
• Losses: 1,300 killed or wounded
• Captured: 2700

Commanders and leaders

Kingdom of England

• Louis de Durfort de Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham
• John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough

Mornmouth Rebels

• James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, 1st Duke of Buccleuch
• Ford Grey, 1st Earl of Tankerville (Cavalry Commander)
• Nathaniel Wade Wiki - Infantry Commander

Royalist force

The royalist force included the following regiments:

• Royal Regiment of Horse, commanded by Lieutenant General Aubrey de Vere, 20th Earl of Oxford KG
• Queen's Regiment of Horse, commanded by Lieutenant General Sir John Lanier
• King's Own Royal Regiment of Dragoons, commanded by General John Churchill
• 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, commanded by Brigadier General Henry Fitzroy, 1st Duke of Grafton KG
• 1st Battalion, Earl of Dumbarton's Regiment of Foot, commanded by Lieutenant General Lord George Douglas, 1st Earl of Dumbarton KT

Causes/Overview

The final battle of the Monmouth Rebellion, following a series of skirmishes around south-west England between the rebel forces of the Duke of Monmouth, and the Royal Army still loyal to James II. Victory went to the Government and about 500 prisoners fell into their hands. Monmouth escaped from the battlefield but was captured, taken to London and executed nine days later. Many of Monmouth's supporters were tried during the Bloody Assizes. Many were transported abroad; others were executed by drawing and quartering.

The rebel James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, attempted to seize the English throne from his uncle James II of England. James II had succeeded to the throne on the death of his brother Charles II on 2 February 1685; James Scott was Charles' illegitimate son.

Result

The rebel army was totally destroyed. Tthe farmers and peasants that made up the bulk of Monmouth’s 3,600 rebel forces were no match for well equipped professional soldiers of the Royalist army.

Aftermath

Monmouth escaped from the battlefield with Grey and they headed for the south coast disguised as peasants. They were captured near Ringwood, Hampshire. Monmouth was taken to the Tower of London, where he was, after several blows of the axe, beheaded

After the battle, around 500 of the rebels were captured and held in St Mary's Parish Church in Westonzoyland.

Some of the wounded Royalists were among the first to be treated at the newly opened Royal Hospital Chelsea.

The Duke's supporters were rounded up and tried in the Bloody Assizes at Taunton Castle and elsewhere. About 1,300 people were found guilty, many were transported abroad; others were executed by drawing and quartering.

Casualties and losses

Notable connections

Daniel Defoe, author of the novel Robinson Crusoe, had taken part in the uprising and battle. He was heavily fined by Jeffreys, losing much of his land and wealth.
Two brothers Benjamin Hewling, a commander of a troop of horse, and William Hewling, lieutenant of foot, were among those condemned to deathBenjamin Hewling was hanged rather than drawn and quartered following a payment of £1000 by his sister

• Alice Lisle Lady Alice Lisle] (September 1617 – 2 September 1685), commonly known as Dame Alicia Lisle or Dame Alice Lyle was executed for harbouring fugitives after the defeat of the Monmouth Rebellion at the Battle of Sedgemoor.

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References, Sources and Further Reading

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sedgemoor
• chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.battlefieldstrust.com/media/139.pdf
• http://www.zoylandheritage.co.uk/
• https://www.britainexpress.com/History/battles/sedgemoor.htm
• chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://historicengland.org.uk/content/docs/listing/battlefields/sedgemoor/