The Duke of Monmouth, the favourite child of King Charles II is a national hero. A military genius, a handsome and skilled courtier, vice-chancellor of Cambridge University, Master of the Horse, Commander-in-Chief, Duke of Buccleugh...the list of titles and honours goes on and on!
He has just returned home victorious after crushing the rebellious Covenanter Scots. He believed he could not be more famous and his place in history confirmed.
Yet, his world was about to fall apart and quicker than anyone could imagine. With his family connections tearing themselves apart, religious tension and political backstabbing - his fall would be swift and brutal.
Let's take a look!
James Scott, the Duke of Monmouth was the illegitimate son of King Charles II and Lucy Walter. He was born whilst his parents were in exile in the Netherlands whilst England was experiencing the Interregnum under Oliver Cromwell. Monmouth would be snatched from his mother and taken to England during the restoration of his father to the throne. Even though a young boy, he was plunged into a military career and saw service with his uncle, James Duke of York. Following naval service, he joined the army and went from strength to strength to finally become Captain General. He also gained famed on the continent when he was a hero at the Siege of Maastricht, fighting alongside John Churchill, the future Duke of Marlborough and Captain D'Artangan.
But he was soon to become involved in political scandal such as the Rye House Plot and the Green Ribbon Club. A war of words over the succession meant that he was seen as the Protestant Duke versus his uncle, the Catholic Duke. But England was too hot for him and he fled into exile, but terrible news followed bad. Early in 1685, his father died and his uncle, his enemy became king. Pushed and goaded into a rebellion, Monmouth with a tiny force invaded England and raised an army. Despite some initial successes, he was turned away from Bristol and found himself surrounded in Bridgwater. Deciding on a night attack against the pursuing royalist army, his final battle at Sedgemoor failed. His army was destroyed. Dragged to London in front of his uncle, he received no mercy and was gruesomely beheaded by Jack Ketch. His death would be followed by Judge Jeffreys and the Bloody Assizes. So Monmouth's life was not a quiet one. He had true potential and had a gift for leadership and popularity. But he was let down by his illegitimacy and his at times, weak character.
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