Gun Money, Owning a Piece of History

charm. In the summer of 1685, James II overcame invasions in the north and in the south. The invasion in the south had been led by the Duke of Monmouth, illegitimate son of Charles the second. Monmouth had landed in Dorset and had been immediately proclaimed King by his supporters. He had, however, obtained no following in Bristol or in Wiltshire. Monmouth was defeated in a battle at Sedgemoor and, riding for his life, he was taken in Cranborne Chase. After a pitiful interview with the King he was executed. The following reprisals were sickening because of their viciousness. Chief Justice Jeffreys carried out his 'bloody assize' which made the West country a shambles and in which some three hundred prisoners were executed and hundreds more transported to the Indies. James II went on to demand a larger standing army and he sought greater power for Catholics. In 1687 he dissolved parliment. Meanwhile William of Orange, the husband of James's daughter Mary and a staunch Dutch protestant, was preparing to come to England. The glorious revolution started with a landing at Torbay in early November 1688 and within two months William had routed the King's forces and James was obliged to flee to France. James was not however happy to give up the crown