The Battle of Sedgemoor near Westonzoyland in Somerset. The last battle fought on English soil.

Today is the anniversary of The Battle of Sedgemoor which took place in 1685 near Westonzoyland in Somerset, it was also the last major battle to be fought on English soil.

R. Ernest Dupuy and Trevor N. Dupuy in The Collins Encyclopedia of Military History, (BCA,1993) write succinctly of the Battle:

"Monmouth's Rebellion.  The Duke of Monmouth, leading a Protestant revolt as pretender to the English throne, landed in Dorsetshire with 82 men.  After recruiting considerable local support, he led a desperate attack against a Royal army commanded by Louis Duras, Earl of Faversham at Sedgemoor (July 6), was repulsed and the rebellion crushed.  Monmouth was captured and beheaded."

The memorial to those who died and suffered during and after the Battle of Sedgemoor.  It stands to the north west of the village of Westonzoyland in Somerset.

The inscription on the memorial plaque reads:

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF ALL THOSE WHO DOING THE RIGHT AS THEY GAVE IT FELL IN THE BATTLE OF SEDGEMOOR 6TH  JULY 1685 AND LIE BURIED IN THIS FIELD OR WHO FOR THEIR SHARE IN THE FIGHT SUFFERED DEATH PUNISHMENT OR TRANSPORTATION.  PRO PATRIA.

A rhine crosses the battlefield at Sedgemoor. Such obstacles thwarted Monmouth's surprise night attack on the King's forces.

My visit to the battlefield memorial took place on July 5 – a very warm day.  I left the car in the shade of the hedge opposite the village hall in Cheer Lane, just off Monmouth Road.  Returning to Monmouth Road and turning right brings you to Bussex Farm and an information board giving details of the Rebellion and Battle.  Turning west and walking between the rhines along Bussex Drove the going was firm due to the recent dry weather.  Taking the first track to the right leads to the memorial enclosure and more information boards. There you will find a convenient bench on which to rest and view the battlefield, the Quantocks to the west and the Poldens to the north.  The tower of St. Mary’s Church in Westonzoyland was visible, through the treetops, to the south east. 

The memorial is surrounded by four unusual toadstool-like stone monuments with weather-worn inscriptions commemorating battles from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as well as the First and Second World Wars. 

I enjoyed a very peaceful walk to and from the memorial and came across only three people during that time: one young woman walking her dog; a cyclist traversing a field; and a lone car driver who drove carefully along the track to the memorial, something I would not attempt if the ground was wet – for obvious reasons.

St. Mary’s Church in Westonzoyland has an excellent visitor centre with exhibits and information on the Battle of Sedgemoor and the Monmouth Rebellion.  Here is a link:

http://www.zoylandheritage.co.uk/index.htm

St Mary's Church in the village of Westonzoyland.  500 rebels were captured and held inside after the battle.