flict. Bridge The Londoners had formerly the army march out of Taunton, “Look given many proofs of their hatred of at me! You have heard of me. I am FerPopery and of their affection for the guson, the famous Ferguson for whose Protestant Duke. He had too readily head so many hundred pounds have been believed that, as soon as he landed, offered." And this man, at once unthere would be a rising in the capital. principled and brainsick, had in his But, though advices came down to him keeping the understanding and the that many thousands of the citizens conscience of the unhappy Monmouth.* had been enrolled as volunteers for the Bridgewater was one of the few towns good cause, nothing was done. The which still had some Whig His replain truth was that the agitators who magistrates. The mayor and donat had urged him to invade England, who aldermen came in their robes water. had promised to rise on the first signal, to welcome the Duke, walked before and who had perhaps imagined, while him in procession to the high cross, and the danger was remote, that they should there proclaimed him King. His troops have the courage to keep their promise, found excellent quarters, and were furlost heart when the critical time drew nished with necessaries at little or no near. Wildman's fright was such that cost by the people of the town and he seemed to have lost his understand-neighbourhood. He took up his resiing. The craven Danvers at first ex-dence in the Castle, a building which cused his inaction by saying that he had been honoured by several royal would not take up arms till Monmouth visits. In the Castle Field his army was proclaimed King, and, when Mon- was encamped. It now consisted of mouth had been proclaimed King, about six thousand men, and might turned round and declared that good easily have been increased to double the republicans were absolved from all en-number, but for the want of arms. The gagements to a leader who had so shamefully broken faith. In every age the vilest specimens of human nature are to be found among demagogues.* On the day following that on which Monmouth had assumed the regal title he marched from Taunton to Bridgewater. His own spirits, it was remarked, were not high. The acclamations of the devoted thousands who surrounded him wherever he turned could not dispel the gloom which sate on his brow. Those who had seen him during his progress through Somersetshire five years before could not now observe without pity the traces of distress and anxiety on those soft and pleasing features which had won so many hearts.† Ferguson was in a very different temper. With this man's knavery was strangely mingled an eccentric vanity which resembled madness. The thought that he had raised a rebellion and bestowed a crown had turned his head. He swaggered about, brandishing his naked sword, and crying to the crowd of spectators who had assembled to see * Grey's Narrative; Ferguson's MS., Eachard, iii. 754. † Persecution Exposed, by John Whiting. Duke had brought with him from the Continent but a scanty supply of pikes and muskets. Many of his followers had, therefore, no other weapons than such as could be fashioned out of the tools which they had used in husbandry or mining. Of these rude implements of war the most formidable was made by fastening the blade of a scythe erect on a strong pole. The tithing men of the country round Taunton and Bridgewater received orders to search everywhere for scythes and to bring all that could be found to the camp. It was impossible, however, even with the help of these contrivances, to supply the demand; and great numbers who were desirous to enlist were sent away.‡ The foot were divided into six regiments. Many of the men had been in the militia, and still wore their uniforms, red and yellow. The cavalry were about a thousand in number; but most of them had only large colts, such as were then bred in great herds on the marshes of Somersetshire for the *Harl. MS. 6845. † One of these weapons may still be seen in the Tower. Grey's Narrative; Paschall's Narrative in the Appendix to Heywood's Vindication. purpose of supplying London with coach | have been better disciplined than most horses and cart horses. These animals other troops of that description.* were so far from being fit for any military purpose that they had not yet learned to obey the bridle, and became ungovernable as soon as they heard a gun fired or a drum beaten. A small body guard of forty young men, well armed and mounted at their own charge, attended Monmouth. The people of Bridgewater, who were enriched by a thriving coast trade, furnished him with a small sum of money.* tions of the government to oppose him. In the counties more remote from Somersetshire the supporters of the throne were on the alert. The militia of Sussex began to march westward, under the command of Richard, Lord Lumley, who, though he had lately been converted from the Roman Catholic religion, was still firm in his allegiance to a Roman Catholic king. James Bertie, Earl of Abingdon, called out the array of Oxfordshire. John Fell, Bishop of Oxford, who was also Dean of Christchurch, summoned the undergraduates of his University to take arms for the crown. The gownsmen crowded to give in their names. Christchurch alone furnished near a hundred pikemen and musketeers. Young noblemen and gentlemen commoners acted as officers; and the eldest son of the Lord Lieutenant was Colonel.† A All this time the forces of the government were fast assembling. On the west of the rebel army Albemarle still kept together a large body of Devonshire militia. On the east, the trainbands of Wiltshire had mustered under the command of Thomas Herbert, Earl of Pembroke. On the north east, Henry Somerset, Duke of Beaufort, was in arms. The power of Beaufort bore some faint resemblance But it was chiefly on the regular to that of the great barons of the fif- troops that the King relied. Churchill teenth century. He was President of had been sent westward with the Blues; Wales and Lord Lieutenant of four and Feversham was following with all English counties. His official tours the forces that could be spared from through the extensive region in which the neighbourhood of London. he represented the majesty of the throne courier had started for Holland with a were scarcely inferior in pomp to royal letter directing Skelton instantly to progresses. His household at Bad-request that the three English regiminton was regulated after the fashion ments in the Dutch service might be of an earlier generation. The land to sent to the Thames. When the rea great extent round his pleasure quest was made, the party hostile to grounds was in his own hands; and the the House of Orange, headed by the delabourers who cultivated it formed part puties of Amsterdam, again tried to of his family. Nine tables were every cause delay. But the energy of Wilday spread under his roof for two hun-liam, who had almost as much at stake dred persons. A crowd of gentlemen as James, and who saw Monmouth's and pages were under the orders of the progress with serious uneasiness, bore steward. A whole troop of cavalry down opposition; and in a few days obeyed the master of the horse. The fame of the kitchen, the cellar, the kennel, and the stables was spread over all England. The gentry, many miles round, were proud of the magnificence of their great neighbour, and were at the same time charmed by his affability and good nature. He was a zealous Cavalier of the old school. At this crisis, therefore, he used his whole influence and authority in support of the crown, and occupied Bristol with the trainbands of Gloucestershire, who seem to * Oldmixon, 702. the troops sailed. The three Scotch regiments were already in England. They had arrived at Gravesend in excellent condition, and James had reviewed them on Blackheath. repeatedly declared to the Dutch Am He *North's Life of Guildford, 132. Accounts of Beaufort's progress through Wales and the neighbouring counties are in the London Ga zettes of July 1684. Letter of Beaufort to Clarendon, June 19. 1685. † Bishop Fell to Clarendon, June 20.; Ab ingdon to Clarendon, June 20, 25, 26. 1685; Lansdowne MS. 846. Avaux, July 1685. 15' 16° bassador that he had never in his life Meanwhile Monmouth advanced seen finer or better disciplined soldiers, from Bridgewater, harassed through and expressed the warmest gratitude the whole march by Churchill, who apto the Prince of Orange and the States pears to have done all that, with a for so valuable and seasonable a rein- handful of men, it was possible for a forcement. This satisfaction, however, brave and skilful officer to effect. The was not unmixed. Excellently as the rebel army, much annoyed both by the men went through their drill, they enemy and by a heavy fall of rain, were not untainted with Dutch politics halted in the evening of the twentyand Dutch divinity. One of them was second of June at Glastonbury. The shot and another flogged for drinking houses of the little town did not afford the Duke of Monmouth's health. It was shelter for so large a force. Some of therefore not thought advisable to place the troops were therefore quartered in them in the post of danger. They were the churches, and others lighted their kept in the neighbourhood of London fires among the venerable ruins of the till the end of the campaign. But their Abbey, once the wealthiest religious arrival enabled the King to send to the house in our island. From GlastonWest some infantry which would other- bury the Duke marched to Wells, and wise have been wanted in the capital.* from Wells to Shepton Mallet.* Hitherto he seems to have wandered His de Bristol from place to place with no While the government was thus preparing for a conflict with the rebels in the field, precautions of a different kind were not neglected. In London alone two hundred of those persons who were thought most likely to be at the head of a Whig movement were arrested. Among the prisoners were some merchants of great note. Every man who was obnoxious to the Court went in fear. A general gloom overhung the capital. Business languished Gloucestershire trainbands. If Beauon the Exchange; and the theatres fort and his rustic followers could be were so generally deserted, that a new overpowered before the regular troops opera, written by Dryden, and set off arrived, the rebels would at once find by decorations of unprecedented mag- themselves possessed of ample pecuniary nificence, was withdrawn, because the resources: the credit of Monmouth's receipts would not cover the expenses arms would be raised; and his friends of the performance. The magistrates throughout the kingdom would be enand clergy were everywhere active. The couraged to declare themselves. BrisDissenters were everywhere closely ob- tol had fortifications which, on the north served. In Cheshire and Shropshire a of the Avon towards Gloucestershire, fierce persecution raged: in Northamp- were weak, but on the south towards tonshire arrests were numerous; and Somersetshire were much stronger. It the gaol of Oxford was crowded with was therefore determined that the atprisoners. No Puritan divine, how-tack should be made on the Gloucesterever moderate his opinions, however guarded his conduct, could feel any confidence that he should not be torn from his family and flung into a dungeon. shire side. But for this purpose it was necessary to take a circuitous route, and to cross the Avon at Keynsham. The bridge at Keynsham had been partly demolished by the militia, and was at present impassable. A detachment was therefore sent forward to make the necessary repairs. The other * London Gazette, June 22. and June 25. 1685; Wade's Confession; Oldmixon, 703; Harl. MS. 6845. troops followed more slowly, and on the sham. There he found the bridge reevening of the twenty-fourth of June paired. He determined to let his halted for repose at Pensford. At army rest during the afternoon, and, Pensford they were only five miles from as soon as night came, to proceed to the Somersetshire side of Bristol; but Bristol.* the Gloucestershire side, which could be reached only by going round through Keynsham, was distant a long day's march.* But it was too late. The King's forces were now near at hand. Colonel Oglethorpe, at the head of about a hundred men of the Life Guards, dashed into Keynsham, scattered two troops of rebel horse which ventured to oppose him, and retired after inflicting much injury and suffering little. In these circumstances it was He relin thought necessary to relinquish that dethe design on Bristol.† quishes sign. Several But what was to be done? schemes were proposed and discussed. It was suggested that Monmouth might hasten to Gloucester, might cross the Severn there, might break down the bridge behind him, and with his right flank protected by the river, might march through Worcestershire into Shropshire and Cheshire. He had formerly made a progress through those counties, and had been received there with as much enthusiasm as in Somersetshire and Devonshire. His presence might revive the zeal of his old friends; and his army might in a few days be swollen to double its present numbers. That night was one of great tumult and expectation in Bristol. The partisans of Monmouth knew that he was almost within sight of their city, and imagined that he would be among them before daybreak. About an hour after sunset a merchantman lying at the quay took fire. Such an occurrence, in a port crowded with shipping, could not but excite great alarm. The whole river was in commotion. The streets were crowded. Seditious cries were heard amidst the darkness and confusion. It was afterwards asserted, both by Whigs and by Tories, that the fire had been kindled by the friends of Monmouth, in the hope that the trainbands would be busied in preventing the conflagration from spreading, and that in the meantime the rebel army would make a bold push, and would enter the city on the Somersetshire side. If such was the design of the incendiaries it completely failed. Beaufort, instead of sending his men to the quay, kept On full consideration, however, it apthem all night drawn up under arms peared that this plan, though specious, round the beautiful church of St. Mary was impracticable. The rebels were Redcliff, on the south of the Avon. ill shod for such work as they had He would see Bristol burned down, he lately undergone, and were exhausted said, nay, he would burn it down him- by toiling, day after day, through deep self, rather than that it should be occu-mud under heavy rain. Harassed and pied by traitors. He was able, with impeded as they would be at every the help of some regular cavalry which stage by the enemy's cavalry, they could had joined him from Chippenham a few not hope to reach Gloucester withhours before, to prevent an insurrection. out being overtaken by the main It might perhaps have been beyond his body of the royal troops, and forced power at once to overawe the malcon- to a general action under every distents within the walls and to repel an advantage. attack from without: but no such attack was made. The fire, which caused so much commotion at Bristol, was distinctly seen at Pensford. Monmouth, however, did not think it expedient to change his plan. He remained quiet * Wade's Confession; Oldmixon, 703.; till sunrise, and then marched to Keyn- Harl. MS. 6845.; Charge of Jeffreys to the grand jury of Bristol, Sept. 21. 1685. *Wade's Confession. Then it was proposed to enter Wiltshire. Persons who professed to know that county well assured the Duke that he would be joined there by such strong † London Gazette, June 29. 1685; Wade's Confession. reinforcements as would make it safe | arrived at Frome, where he hoped to find reinforcements. for him to give battle.* He took this advice, and turned towards Wiltshire. He first summoned Bath. But Bath was strongly garrisoned for the King; and Feversham was fast approaching. The rebels, therefore, made no attempt on the walls, but hastened to Philip's Norton, where they halted on the evening of the twenty-sixth of June. Frome was as zealous in his cause as either Taunton or Bridgewater, but could do nothing to serve him. There had been a rising a few days before; and Monmouth's Declaration had been posted up in the market place. But the news of this movement had been carried to the Earl of Pembroke, who lay at no great distance with the Feversham followed them thither. Wiltshire militia. He had instantly Early on the morning of the twenty-marched to Frome, had routed a mob seventh they were alarmed by tidings of rustics who, with scythes and pitchthat he was close at hand. They got forks, attempted to oppose him, had into order, and lined the hedges lead-entered the town and had disarmed the ing to the town. inhabitants. No weapons, therefore, were left there; nor was Monmouth able to furnish any.* Mon The rebel army was in evil case. The march of the preceding Despondnight had been wearisome. ence of The rain had fallen in tor- mouth. rents; and the roads had become mere quagmires. Nothing was heard of the promised succours from Wiltshire. One messenger brought news that Argyle's forces had been dispersed in Scotland. Another reported that Feversham, having been joined by his artillery, was about to advance. Monmouth understood war too well not to know that his followers, with all their courage and all their zeal, were no match for The advanced guard of the royal army soon appeared. It consisted of about five hundred men, commanded by the Duke of Grafton, a youth of bold spirit and rough manners, who was probably eager to show that he had no share in the disloyal schemes of his half brother. Grafton soon found himself in a deep lane with fences on both sides of him, from which a galling fire of musketry was kept up. Still he pushed boldly on till he came to the entrance of Philip's Norton. at Philip's There his way was crossed by Norton. a barricade, from which a third fire met him full in front. His men now lost heart, and made the best of their way back. Before they got out regular_soldiers. He had till lately of the lane more than a hundred of them had been killed or wounded. Grafton's retreat was intercepted by some of the rebel cavalry: but he cut his way gallantly through them, and came off safe.t Skirmish The advanced guard, thus repulsed, fell back on the main body of the royal forces. The two armies were now face to face; and a few shots were exchanged that did little or no execution. Neither side was impatient to come to action. Feversham did not wish to fight till his artillery came up, and fell back to Bradford. Monmouth, as soon as the night closed in, quitted his position, marched southward, and by daybreak * Wade's Confession. flattered himself with the hope that some of those regiments which he had formerly commanded would pass over to his standard: but that hope he was now compelled to relinquish. His heart failed him. He could scarcely muster firmness enough to give orders. In his misery he complained bitterly of the evil counsellors who had induced him to quit his happy retreat in Brabant. Against Wildman in particular he broke forth into violent imprecations.† And now an ignominious thought rose in his weak and agitated mind. He would leave to the mercy of the government the thousands who had, at his call and for his sake, abandoned their quiet * London Gazette, June 29. 1685; Van CitJune 30. + London Gazette, July 2. 1685; Barillon, ters, July 10. July; Wade's Confession. † Harl. MS. 6845.; Wade's Confession. |
