Duke of Monmouth
Monmouth James Scott, Duke of (1649–1685), a claimant to the English throne. He was the illegitimate son of Charles II and Lucy Walter, and was also called James Fitzroy and James Crofts. In 1663 Charles acknowledged him as his son and made him a duke. Monmouth took his wife's surname, Scott. He was made captain general of the king's forces in 1670 and served in the Low Countries and Scotland.
The heir to the throne was Charles's brother James (later James II), a Roman Catholic. Monmouth was a Protestant and the choice of many who feared a Catholic king. In 1685, soon after James became king, Monmouth organized a rebellion from Holland. He landed in southwest England and drew thousands of men to his banner, but was defeated at the Battle of Sedgemoor. Monmouth was beheaded for treason. Suspected rebels were punished with severity by Judge George Jeffreys, who conducted the so-called “bloody assizes” (trials).