BattlefieldsMonmouth Rebellion — Bristol Approach Abandoned 1685
English Civil War

Monmouth Rebellion — Bristol Approach Abandoned 1685

1685
City of Bristol, England
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
City of Bristol, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Monmouth rebels
Forces
Bristol militia and regular troops under Duke of Beaufort
VS
Victor
Royalist forces
Forces
Monmouth rebel army approximately 6,000
Outcome
Rebel advance on Bristol abandoned; Monmouth retreated south; the failure to take Bristol fatally weakened rebel morale and strategic position.
The Battle

History & Significance

Monmouth marched his army to the outskirts of Bristol on 25-26 June 1685, hoping to seize England's second city and give his rebellion an urban base and port. The arrival of the Duke of Beaufort with militia and the presence of regular troops caused Monmouth to abandon the attempt and retreat south without attacking, a crucial lost opportunity.

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