On this day, 6th July 1685 The Battle of Sedgemoor was fought at Westonzoyland, some four miles to the East of Bridgwater. This was to be the final Battle of the Monmouth rebellion, after numerous skirmishes around Dorset and Somerset James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth found himself entrenched and surrounded in Bridgwater. on the evening of the 5th Monmouth and his troops broke out from their fortifications and headed for Westonzoyland to take on the Loyalist Army of James 2nd. On the Morning of the 6th July the rebel Army were engaged on farmland adjacent to the church at Westonzoyland by the Kings 1st Regiment of foot Guards (latterly renamed Grenadier Guards) along with the Grenadiers were the 1st of foot, the Royal Scots and the 2nd Regiment of foot Guards (Coldstream) James 2nd had also deployed Regiments of Calvary which included The Royal Calvary, The Kings Regiment of Horse (Blues and royals), The Kings Own Royal Dragoons and the Kings Horse Guards (lifeguards). The Battle resulted in a swift and overwhelming victory for the Loyalist Army and many of the rebels, including Monmouth, fled into the surrounding countryside. Most were captured and Lord Chief Justice Jefferys was despatched from London by the King to deal with the prisoners, Jefferys held court at Taunton and this become known as The Bloody Assizes as all prisoners were drawn and quartered upon sentencing. Monmouth was captured at Ringwood in Hampshire and taken to the Tower of London and was swiftly tried and beheaded.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 08:21:26 +0000
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