Monmouth Rebellion

Quick Facts: Who was Monmouth Rebellion?

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Monmouth Rebellion

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The 1685 rebellion led by James II's illegitimate son against the Catholic King.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Monmouth Rebellion (also known as the Pitchfork Rebellion, Revolt of the West or West Country rebellion) in June 1685 was an attempt to depose James II, who in February had succeeded his brother Charles II as king of England, Scotland and Ireland. Dissident Protestants led by James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, eldest illegitimate son of Charles II, opposed James largely due to his Catholicism. The failure of Parliamentary efforts to exclude James from the succession in 1681 resulted in the 1683 Rye House Plot, an alleged attempt to assassinate Charles II and James. Monmouth, implicated as a co-conspirator, went into exile in the Dutch Republic. He returned to England when on 11 June 1685, he landed at Lyme Regis in the South West where he had widespread popular support, planning to take control of the area and march on London.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The rebellion coincided roughly with Argyll's Rising in Scotland, an ill-organised failure intended to take place at the same time. Over the next few weeks, Monmouth's army skirmished with troops commanded by Louis de Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham, and John Churchill. However, he failed to attract wider backing and was defeated at the Battle of Sedgemoor on 6 July 1685. Monmouth was captured and beheaded for treason on 15 July 1685, while around 1,000 of his supporters were executed or transported in what became known as the Bloody Assizes. James II reigned until 1688, when he was deposed by another nephew, William III of Orange, in the Glorious Revolution.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Monmouth was an illegitimate son of Charles II. There had been rumours that Charles had married Monmouth's mother, Lucy Walter, but no evidence was forthcoming, and Charles always said that he only had one wife, Catherine of Braganza. Monmouth had been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the English Army by his father in 1672 and Captain general in 1678, enjoying some successes in the Netherlands in the Third Anglo-Dutch War, as commander of a British brigade in the French army. The English Civil War had left resentment among some of the population about the monarchy and the penalties which had been imposed on the supporters of the Commonwealth. The South West of England contained several towns where opposition remained strong.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1672: 1672 Milestone — Monmouth had been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the English Army by his father in 1672 and Captain general in 1678, enjoying some successes in the Netherlands in the Third Anglo-Dutch War, as commander of a British brigade in the French army.
2. 1681: 1681 Milestone — The failure of Parliamentary efforts to exclude James from the succession in 1681 resulted in the 1683 Rye House Plot, an alleged attempt to assassinate Charles II and James.
3. 1685: 1685 Milestone — The Monmouth Rebellion (also known as the Pitchfork Rebellion, Revolt of the West or West Country rebellion) in June 1685 was an attempt to depose James II, who in February had succeeded his brother Charles II as king of England, Scotland and Ireland.
4. 1688: 1688 Milestone — James II reigned until 1688, when he was deposed by another nephew, William III of Orange, in the Glorious Revolution.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Monmouth Rebellion

True or False: “Did Monmouth plan to seize power immediately upon landing in Lyme Regis?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he landed there and gathered support, the rebellion was a coordinated effort planned in Holland, and his immediate goal was to march on London after consolidating local backing.

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