Rebel Defoe

I mentioned earlier Miguel de Cevantes' participation in the battle of Lepanto.

On the heels of that, I came across a reference in the Spectator to Daniel Defoe (Robinson Crusoe, A Journal of the Plague Year, Moll Flander, and A General History of Pyrates) at the Battle of Sedgemoor. In 1685, James II became king of England, succeeding his brother, Charles II. Charles II's illegitimate son, the 1st Duke of Monmouth, launched a rebellion and invasion, seeking the throne for himself. Monmouth landed at Lyme Regis in Dorset in southwest England, hoping to raise local volunteers.

Battle was joined on July 6th, 1685 between a royal force of 2,700 infrantry and cavalry and Monmouth's force of some 3,500 untrained locals. Launching a night attack which was discovered, Monmouth lost the battle, his army, and later his head.

Following the defeat and capture of Monmouth, James II dispatched Judge Jeffreys to the West Country where he conducted what became known as the Bloody Assizes, rooting out supporters and participants in the rebellion - many of whom were executed or transported.

Daniel Defoe had rallied behind Monmouth and appears to have participated in the battle of Sedgwick but managed to escape with his life. He was heavily fined and lost most his wealth but kept his head.