Battlefields›Monmouth Rebellion — Taunton Reception 1685
English Civil War

Monmouth Rebellion — Taunton Reception 1685

1685
Somerset, England
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Somerset, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
no government force present
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Monmouth rebel army approximately 6,000 at peak
Outcome
Monmouth proclaimed king at Taunton; thousands of recruits swelled rebel ranks; the peak of rebel strength and morale before the subsequent reverses.
The Battle

History & Significance

Taunton gave Monmouth his most enthusiastic reception of the entire rebellion when he arrived on 18 June 1685. Young women of the town presented him with a Bible and sword and proclaimed him king. Monmouth was formally proclaimed James II of England in the market place of Taunton. The reception inflated rebel confidence but also hardened government resolve.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Monmouth Rebellion — Taunton Reception 1685

Borough Bank, a section of medieval town defences 70m north of St Mary Magdalene Church
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Taunton Castle: a motte and bailey castle, part of the outer bailey, an Anglo-Saxon cemetery and a Civil War artillery platform
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Poundisford Park pale
Scheduled monument · ~2.3 miles
Norton Camp large univallate hillfort
Scheduled monument · ~2.3 miles
Bradford Bridge
Scheduled monument · ~3.7 miles
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