Frome, June 28. 1685

We arrive in Frome at 8 this morning, in a sorry condition for the men are wet, muddy and exhausted after the nights march from Philips Norton. Yesterday’s victory has been forgotten, for the moment, whilst the men gather provisions, build fires to dry coats and find warmth. His Majesty calls a council, to say that we must rest the men before we march towards London, and therefore asks me to send out scouts to locate and understand the enemy. He then issues orders that the Army will rest, then look to their drill and discipline. He tells the offices to ‘praise the men for their bravery and that they won a great victory yesterday, which will lead us to success in our cause for liberty over the murderer and false King in Whitehall, James Duke of York’. Yet his Majesty is melancholy once again and fears that the promised defections from the enemy will not happen for they have had the opportunity, likewise the Wiltshire men have deserted him, as has God with this heavy rain. I remind him, that rain brings suffering to both Armies.
As we need to move early tomorrow, I send out scouts and ask Capt, Kidd to pay close attention to the London Road across the Salisbury Plain, as this will be our line of march. I need to know if any Militia or Regulars are close to this route. Meanwhile, strong out-guards are posted all around this place to ensure our safety this day. Late in the evening I get word that the enemy has moved to Westbury.


Today we sailed in the Heldevenberg for England together with the Duke of Monmouth and 81 other gentlemen of honour
Today we sailed in the Heldevenberg for England together with the Duke of Monmouth and 81 other gentlemen of honour
Today we sailed in the Heldevenberg for England together with the Duke of Monmouth and 81 other gentlemen of honour


This evening the Duke of Monmouth issues his commissions and gives instruction on the forming of his Army
This evening the Duke of Monmouth issues his commissions and gives instruction on the forming of his Army
This evening the Duke of Monmouth issues his commissions and gives instruction on the forming of his Army


This evening a small party is landed at Seatown to send word of Monmouth's landing at Lyme tomorrow.
This evening a small party is landed at Seatown to send word of Monmouth's landing at Lyme tomorrow.
This evening a small party is landed at Seatown to send word of Monmouth's landing at Lyme tomorrow.


Monmouth and his supporters land at Lyme to cheering crowds.
Monmouth and his supporters land at Lyme to cheering crowds.
Monmouth and his supporters land at Lyme to cheering crowds.


Monmouth's Army now numbers over 1500 men, yet news arrives that Royal Militia is close at hand.
Monmouth's Army now numbers over 1500 men, yet news arrives that Royal Militia is close at hand.
Monmouth's Army now numbers over 1500 men, yet news arrives that Royal Militia is close at hand.


Today we drew first blood after a skirmish with the Militia Horse, leaving two of them dead on the field.
Today we drew first blood after a skirmish with the Militia Horse, leaving two of them dead on the field.
Today we drew first blood after a skirmish with the Militia Horse, leaving two of them dead on the field.


Today we fought our first battle with the Militia at Bridport. Our Foot accounted themselves very well.
Today we fought our first battle with the Militia at Bridport. Our Foot accounted themselves very well.
Today we fought our first battle with the Militia at Bridport. Our Foot accounted themselves very well.


This day we marched to Axminster and put the Militia to flight.
This day we marched to Axminster and put the Militia to flight.
This day we marched to Axminster and put the Militia to flight.


Today Monmouth's Army reaches Chard, whilst it continues to grow, now over 3000 men have joined his Grace.
Today Monmouth's Army reaches Chard, whilst it continues to grow, now over 3000 men have joined his Grace.
Today Monmouth's Army reaches Chard, whilst it continues to grow, now over 3000 men have joined his Grace.


The Duke of Monmouth and his Army reaches Ilminster
The Duke of Monmouth and his Army reaches Ilminster
The Duke of Monmouth and his Army reaches Ilminster


Monmouth and his Army reach Taunton this evening.
Monmouth and his Army reach Taunton this evening.
Monmouth and his Army reach Taunton this evening.


Today we entered Taunton and a new Foot Regiment, the Blue, is raised from Taunton-men.
Today we entered Taunton and a new Foot Regiment, the Blue, is raised from Taunton-men.
Today we entered Taunton and a new Foot Regiment, the Blue, is raised from Taunton-men.


The Duke of Monmouth is proclaimed King at the market cross.
The Duke of Monmouth is proclaimed King at the market cross.
The Duke of Monmouth is proclaimed King at the market cross.


We can now field an Army of 5 Horse Squadrons, 5 Foot Battalions & 4 field cannon.
We can now field an Army of 5 Horse Squadrons, 5 Foot Battalions & 4 field cannon.
We can now field an Army of 5 Horse Squadrons, 5 Foot Battalions & 4 field cannon.


There is a skirmish between our Horse and those of the enemy at Langport whilst the clubmen look to join with us.
There is a skirmish between our Horse and those of the enemy at Langport whilst the clubmen look to join with us.
There is a skirmish between our Horse and those of the enemy at Langport whilst the clubmen look to join with us.


This day we have progressed to Shepton Mallet but the heavy rain is slowing our advance.
This day we have progressed to Shepton Mallet but the heavy rain is slowing our advance.
This day we have progressed to Shepton Mallet but the heavy rain is slowing our advance.


This day we reach Pensford but have word the enemy has damaged the Keynsham Bridge
This day we reach Pensford but have word the enemy has damaged the Keynsham Bridge
This day we reach Pensford but have word the enemy has damaged the Keynsham Bridge


This day we crossed the Avon by the repaired Bridge at Keynsham and fought of the enemy Horse
This day we crossed the Avon by the repaired Bridge at Keynsham and fought of the enemy Horse
This day we crossed the Avon by the repaired Bridge at Keynsham and fought of the enemy Horse


Monmouth and his Army reach Philips Norton after a long march in heavy rain.
Monmouth and his Army reach Philips Norton after a long march in heavy rain.
Monmouth and his Army reach Philips Norton after a long march in heavy rain.


Today there is a Battle between Monmouth's Army and the enemy at Philips Norton.
Today there is a Battle between Monmouth's Army and the enemy at Philips Norton.
Today there is a Battle between Monmouth's Army and the enemy at Philips Norton.


This day Monmouth and his arrive exhausted at Frome after a night march in the rain
This day Monmouth and his arrive exhausted at Frome after a night march in the rain
This day Monmouth and his arrive exhausted at Frome after a night march in the rain


The council of War debate the General Pardon issued by the enemy and elect to fight on.
The council of War debate the General Pardon issued by the enemy and elect to fight on.
The council of War debate the General Pardon issued by the enemy and elect to fight on.


Monmouth and his Army finding the path to London closed retires West to Shepton Mallet.
Monmouth and his Army finding the path to London closed retires West to Shepton Mallet.
Monmouth and his Army finding the path to London closed retires West to Shepton Mallet.


This day we captured enemy baggage as Wells and rest here for the night.
This day we captured enemy baggage as Wells and rest here for the night.
This day we captured enemy baggage as Wells and rest here for the night.


This day as we marched to Pedwell to meet the grand Clubmen Army of Somerset, yet upon our arrival, they only number some 200 men.
This day as we marched to Pedwell to meet the grand Clubmen Army of Somerset, yet upon our arrival, they only number some 200 men.
This day as we marched to Pedwell to meet the grand Clubmen Army of Somerset, yet upon our arrival, they only number some 200 men.


Monmouth and his Army return to Bridgwater and start to fortify the town
Monmouth and his Army return to Bridgwater and start to fortify the town
Monmouth and his Army return to Bridgwater and start to fortify the town


The Army remains at Bridgwater and this evening the local men are allowed to return to their homes as the enemy doesn't press us.
The Army remains at Bridgwater and this evening the local men are allowed to return to their homes as the enemy doesn't press us.
The Army remains at Bridgwater and this evening the local men are allowed to return to their homes as the enemy doesn't press us.


This afternoon we prepare to march overnight to Axbridge meanwhile the enemy has advanced to Westonzoyland
This afternoon we prepare to march overnight to Axbridge meanwhile the enemy has advanced to Westonzoyland
This afternoon we prepare to march overnight to Axbridge meanwhile the enemy has advanced to Westonzoyland


By late afternoon it is clear our enemy camps at Weston but leaves their right flank in the air.
By late afternoon it is clear our enemy camps at Weston but leaves their right flank in the air.
By late afternoon it is clear our enemy camps at Weston but leaves their right flank in the air.


This night we march to Longmoor to surprise the enemy but a troopers pistol goes off at half-cock.
This night we march to Longmoor to surprise the enemy but a troopers pistol goes off at half-cock.
This night we march to Longmoor to surprise the enemy but a troopers pistol goes off at half-cock.


The Armies of the two King's fought a great Battle at Sedgemoor, the victor wrote the History. This is an account from one side.
The Armies of the two King's fought a great Battle at Sedgemoor, the victor wrote the History. This is an account from one side.
The Armies of the two King's fought a great Battle at Sedgemoor, the victor wrote the History. This is an account from one side.


With the Rebellion lost, it is every man for himself, Wade, Goodenough, Ferguson and a party make their Escape from Ilfracombe.
With the Rebellion lost, it is every man for himself, Wade, Goodenough, Ferguson and a party make their Escape from Ilfracombe.
With the Rebellion lost, it is every man for himself, Wade, Goodenough, Ferguson and a party make their Escape from Ilfracombe.


This is an account of the bloody and botched execution of James, Duke of Monmouth on Tower Hill.
This is an account of the bloody and botched execution of James, Duke of Monmouth on Tower Hill.
This is an account of the bloody and botched execution of James, Duke of Monmouth on Tower Hill.


With the Rebellion over the Tyrant paid bloody retribution on those that fought for your Liberty
With the Rebellion over the Tyrant paid bloody retribution on those that fought for your Liberty
With the Rebellion over the Tyrant paid bloody retribution on those that fought for your Liberty
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