Our January talk entitled “The Monmouth Rebellion” was given by accomplished speakers Jacqueline and Brian Sutton. Both of whom have a background in drama and amateur theatricals, so was a well presented event with a few props and anecdotes thrown in. The talk took us from the end of the Civil War through to the Battle of Sedgemoor and onto the Bloody Assizes. It covered the characters behind the story, royal and others, the religious background, and the rallying of populist anti-royal feelings in the West Country. It told of the landing of two rebel troop ships at Lyme Regis from where an “pitchfork” army was recruited en route to the city of Bristol which the Duke of Monmouth hoped to seize. The plan however was leaked to King James II in London, loyalist troops rallied and the “pitchfork” army was defeated at the Battle of Sedgemoor. The story went on to describe the flight of the Duke after the battle and how he was found allegedly, at either Horton on Cranborne Chase or Ringwood, in a ditch disguised as a shepherd. From the battle arose the Bloody Assize, the Courts set up by Judge Jeffries at various locations including Dorchester, Taunton and Winchester, the infamous injustice given to Alice Lisle of Moyles Court, Ringwood and the Duke’s eventual execution. We were reminded how local we are to this history with notable events including the beheading of Alice Lisle at the Eclipse Inn, which still stands in Market Squre Winchester,

It was a very informative, enjoyable and entertaining talk