Monmouth Rebellion Essay
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, 1st Duke of Buccleuch, led the Monmouth Rebellion after the death of his father, Charles II. He failed to seize the throne from his uncle, James II. In April, 1649, James was born in the Netherlands to Lucy Walter, the first mistress of Charles. At the time, Charles was in exile due to the English Civil Wars. James proved to be the first of many illegitimate children born to the future monarch. The young boy grew up in Schiedam until the age of nine. In 1658, men of the king kidnapped young James and brought him to Paris for his education.1 He was placed in the care of the Croft family. He learned under a famed Protestant tutor employed by his father. In 1663, he was brought to England and created the Duke
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As he increased in popularity, many became supporters of his claim to the throne. In 1679 however, Charles II sent his eldest son into exile. Monmouth's rise had inspired ambition in him, and now at the age of thirty he had not tamed his more wild desires, decreasing approval of him.3 Both Monmouth and the Duke of York were sent from London, leaving only their political supporters behind to fight over the throne. Monmouth later was implicated in the 1683 Rye House Plot, the plan to assassinate Charles II and James the Duke of York. In 1685, Charles II died, and in the aftermath Monmouth tried seize the throne from his uncle. His supporters claimed that his father had married Lucy Walter in secret, therefore Monmouth was a legitimate son and heir to the throne. He invaded England, as conquer. Though initial battles tended his way, eventually low morale led to low morale and desertions as few decisive battles were won. At the Battle of Sedgemoor, Monmouth outnumbered the Royalist, yet he still lost. He fled with friend and ally Lord Grey, but the two were captured, utterly exhausted, before they could escape England. The two were brought before James at the insistence of Catherine de Braganza, though the king would not reduce the charges or sentence. Monmouth was imprisoned in the Tower and executed on the 15th of July,
As he increased in popularity, many became supporters of his claim to the throne. In 1679 however, Charles II sent his eldest son into exile. Monmouth's rise had inspired ambition in him, and now at the age of thirty he had not tamed his more wild desires, decreasing approval of him.3 Both Monmouth and the Duke of York were sent from London, leaving only their political supporters behind to fight over the throne. Monmouth later was implicated in the 1683 Rye House Plot, the plan to assassinate Charles II and James the Duke of York. In 1685, Charles II died, and in the aftermath Monmouth tried seize the throne from his uncle. His supporters claimed that his father had married Lucy Walter in secret, therefore Monmouth was a legitimate son and heir to the throne. He invaded England, as conquer. Though initial battles tended his way, eventually low morale led to low morale and desertions as few decisive battles were won. At the Battle of Sedgemoor, Monmouth outnumbered the Royalist, yet he still lost. He fled with friend and ally Lord Grey, but the two were captured, utterly exhausted, before they could escape England. The two were brought before James at the insistence of Catherine de Braganza, though the king would not reduce the charges or sentence. Monmouth was imprisoned in the Tower and executed on the 15th of July,