( born James Scott 1649–85)
an illegitimate son of Charles II who became a duke in 1663. He was a Protestant, and powerful people who were against the idea of the Roman Catholic Duke of York (Charles II’s brother and later King James II ) becoming king after Charles II supported him as Charles II’s heir. Charles, however, wanted his brother to become king after him. A short time after James did become king, in 1685, the Duke of Monmouth started a rebellion but received little support. He was defeated at the Battle of Sedgemoor and had his head cut off. His supporters were very harshly treated by Judge Jeffreys at the Bloody Assizes .