Sedgemoor, Somerset, England

The Battle of Sedgemoor Memorial

The Battle of Sedgemoor

The Battle of Sedgemoor was fought on 6th July 1685 and took place at Westonzoyland near Bridgwater in Somerset. It was the final battle of the Monmouth Rebellion and followed a series of skirmishes around southwest England between the forces of James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth and the crown he was trying to take. The royalist forces prevailed and about 500 troops captured. Monmouth escaped from the battlefield but was later captured and taken to London for trial and execution. Many of Monmouth's supporters were tried during the Bloody Assizes . Many were transported abroad, while others were executed by drawing and quartering.

 

A ghostly band of soldiers are said to haunt the area around King's Sedgemoor Drain, and some have reported the cries of “Come on over!” floating across the landscape. The apparition of the Duke of Monmouth is said to appear on 3rd July. However, the most tragic ghost originates from the following story. A local runner was captured during the battle. He was told his life would be spared on condition that he could keep up with one of the horses in a race. Bets were placed as to who would triumph, and the race was run. The local man did keep up with the horse, but the dishonourable and sadistic captors killed him regardless. In total despair, the wronged mans sweetheart drowned herself on the Sedgemoor Levels. Since that time, her spirit has been seen accompanied by the sounds of “running feet, laboured breathing and galloping hooves”.

 

For further information, please read Haunted Britain by Antony D. Hippisley Coxe and Haunted Britain and Ireland by Richard Jones.

Location

Visitor Information

Sedgemoor is a low-lying area of land in Somerset, England.

It lies close to sea level south of the Polden Hills, historically largely marsh (or "moor" in its older sense). The eastern part is known as King's Sedgemoor, and the western part West Sedgemoor. Historically the area was known as the site of the Battle of Sedgemoor.

Pictured left is the Battle of Sedgemoor Memorial courtesy of Rog Frost. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.