Death of James Scott
Present at the death of Charles II
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1685 in England
Explore 47 historical events and records for England in 1685.
Historical records for England in 1685
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 47 unique records.
47Unique records
1 of 2Page
32Named events on this page
12Named people on this page
18Places on this page
February
Death of Anne
Death of Charles II, Annes father succeeds him as King, she is 2nd to the throne
Death of Charles II
Death of Charles II
Succession
Death of Charles II, Annes father succeeds him as King, she is 2nd to the throne
Succession
Succeeds as King of England & Ireland, 2nd son of Charles I
Embassy to France
Serves as ambassador extraordinary in Paris between February and April during the opening months of James II's reign.
April
Reform of Parliament
Fails to persuade Parliament to repeal the 1673 Test Act
Coronation
Crowned alongside Mary of Modena, using Anglican rights in Westminster Abbey
May
Baron Churchill of Sandridge
Created Baron Churchill of Sandridge in the English peerage.
June
Rebellion of Rebels in Lyme Regis
The King sends Lord Churchill to control the rebels
Capture of Axminster
Monmouths forces capture Axminster
Capture of Taunton
Monmouth reaches Taunton to an enthusiastic welcome
Coronation
Declares himself King and is crowned in Chard and is the subject of more coronations in Taunton 20 June 1685 and Bridgewater
Succession
Declares himself King and is crowned in Chard and is the subject of more coronations in Taunton 20 June 1685 and Bridgewater
Advance on Bristol
Monmouth threatens Bristol while advancing through the west.
Capture of Bridgewater
Leaves Taunton & begins the march on Bridgewater at the head of 8,000 men
Capture of Taunton
Monmouth is proclaimed King in Taunton
Siege of Bristol
Monmouths advance on Bristol by way of Bridgewater & Keynsham is resumed
Battle of Keynsham
After Keynsham & false news that the entire Royal Army is at hand Monmouth retreats
Invasion of England
Sets sail on the Helderenburgh & 2 ships from Texel for the south coast of England
July
Capture of Bridgewater
Monmouths forces reach Bridgewater. Learns that the Royalists under the Earl of Faversham are only 3 miles away
Major General
Promoted major-general three days before the Battle of Sedgemoor.
Battle of Sedgemoor
Serves as second-in-command under the Earl of Feversham as the royal army defeats Monmouth at Sedgemoor.
Battle of Sedgemoor
The second to last Battle fought on English soil, Monmouths makeshift force could not compete with the regular army, and was soundly defeated. Monmouth himself was captured and arrested in Dorset, Parliament later passes the Act of Attainder. Monmouth is defeated & later beheaded. Attacks a Royal army under the Earl of Faversham
Death of James Scott
Executed on Tower Hill
Execution
Despite begging for mercy, Monmouth is executed by Jack Ketch on Tower Hill. It is said that it took multiple blows of the axe to sever his head
Execution
Despite begging for mercy, Monmouth is executed by Jack Ketch on Tower Hill. It is said that it took multiple blows of the axe to sever his head
December
Death of John Pell
Death of John Pell
Other events (month unknown)
Advice to James II
William III of Orange urges James II to pursue a more moderate course as religious policy increasingly alienates English political opinion.
Arrest of Titus Oates
Oates is convicted of perjury, severely flogged, and imprisoned
Birth of Mary
Birth of Mary, daughter of Anne
Churchill Commands Royal Infantry At Sedgemoor
During the suppression of Monmouth's rebellion, Churchill directed infantry operations beneath the army's overall commander.
Commander of Monmouth Red
Appointedmander of the Duke of Monmouths Red forces
Death of Henry Bennett
Death of Henry Bennet
Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset
Serves as a deputy lieutenant of Dorset, linking his court standing with county administration.
Exile of James Scott
On his fathers death in 1685 Monmouth led the "Monmouth Rebellion", landing with three ships at Lyme Regis in Dorset in an attempt to take the throne from his uncle
Gentleman of the Bedchamber
Is appointed a gentleman of the bedchamber to James II after the king's accession.
Halley Edits Philosophical Transactions
Halley served as editor of the Royal Society's Philosophical Transactions during a period of scientific exchange.
High Steward of St Albans
Begins his long tenure as high steward of St Albans, an office he retains for the rest of his life.
Hudson's Bay Company Governor
Serves as governor of the Hudson's Bay Company during a period of expanding English commercial interests.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.