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Button and buckle belonging to the Duke of Monmouth

Monmouth reputedly gave this buckle to a child when he stopped to change horses during his escape from Sedgemoor in 1685. The button is said to have been cut from...

Helmet

This steel 'pot' or helmet was found at Nunney and was probably used there by a pikeman in the Parliamentary army. It features a horizontal ridge, and furrow and ridge...

Painting of Judge Jeffreys (1645-1689)

This portrait shows the notorious judge who presided at the Bloody Assizes. The Assizes held at Taunton Castle took place on 18 and 19 September 1685. Jeffreys tried 514 prisoners...

Painting of Edmund Wyndham (1601-1683)

Edmund Wyndham was a leading Somerset Royalist during the Civil War. In 1644 he besieged Taunton, bombarding the castle from the west and the town from the east. When Robert...

Sword

This sword was used by Mary Bridge to defend her mother from the attentions of a Royalist officer. He went to their house at Westonzoyland shortly after the battle of...

Telescope

Telescope used by William Sparke during Battle of Sedgemoor 1685. From the top of Chedzoy church tower he used it to watch the Kingês army gathering at Westonzoyland. Sparke sent...

Bust of Robert Blake

Robert Blake was born in Bridgwater and became its MP in 1640. At the beginning of the Civil War he joined the Parliamentary army and quickly emerged as an inspiring...

Painting of James, Duke of Monmouth

Monmouth was the favourite but illegitimate son of Charles II. When his Catholic uncle James II succeeded to the throne, Monmouth became the focus for Protestant opposition. But his rebel army...