James, Duke of Monmouth's Plea for Mercy - 9th July 1685

James Duke of Monmouth was executed for treason on the 15th July 1685 after trying to over-throw his uncle James II for the throne of England, Scotland and Ireland.  Charles II had died and his younger brother James II had claimed the throne.  However James Scott 1st Duke of Monmouth was the illegitimate son of Charles II and was convinced by others that he was the rightful heir to the throne.

To cut a long story short, this led to the Battle of Sedgemoor which took place on 6th July 1685 in Westonzoyland, just outside of Bridgwater, Somerset.  James Scott Duke of Monmouth failed and many of his supporters were either executed or sent for transportation.  Many of the Victims of the Monmouth Rebellion were tried for the smallest involvement in the rebellion such as the Taunton Maids who were given as a Christmas box to James II Maids of Honour for giving a banner to James Duke of Monmouth.  The relative of the schoolgirlds had to pay a heavy ransom to have them freed.

After his defeat and impending execution, James Scott wrote to Queen Catherine of Braganza.  She was the wife of King Charles II and Queen Dowager, meaning a widow.  James Scott was appealing to his late fathers wife, hoping for some kind of reprieve.

written by James, Duke of Monmouth to Catherine Queen Dowager 9th July 1685.

 

Transcription of above Letter.

The letter, however pleading, did not stop James Scott's execution, and by all accounts it was a grizzly affair.  The executioner, John Ketch was famously known for 'bundling' executions and James Scott knew this.  

'Here ', said the Duke, 'are six guineas for you. Do not hack me as you did my Lord Russell. I have heard that you struck him three or four times. My servant will give you some more gold if you do the work well.' He then undressed, felt the edge of the axe, expressed some fear that it was not sharp enough, and laid his head on the block.  The first blow inflicted only a slight wound... Read the full article here.

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