The Battle of Sedgemoor occurred during the Monmouth Rebellion, which began as a response to the perceived tyranny of King James II and his policies favoring Catholicism. James Scott, the 1st Duke of Monmouth, a Protestant and illegitimate son of Charles II, claimed the throne in opposition to James II, which sparked a series of armed confrontations. By early July, Monmouth had gathered a considerable force, mainly comprised of disaffected Protestants and former soldiers of the English Civil War, who were enthusiastic about his cause. The Duke's forces confronted King James II's loyalists in a pivotal showdown in Somerset. The battle itself unfolded on the moors near the village of Sedgemoor. It was characterized by a mix of infantry skirmishes and cavalry charges, demonstrating both sides' tactical preparations. Despite the energetic fighting spirit of Monmouth's troops, the King's well-trained forces, led by Lieutenant-General Henry Compton and the experienced cavalry under the command of John Churchill, later the Duke of Marlborough, decisively overwhelmed them. The defeat of Monmouth led to a chaotic retreat for his forces and a swift resolution to the rebellion, as many rebels were either captured or executed shortly afterward. The aftermath saw the imposition of severe penalties on the rebel sympathizers and a significant tightening of the monarchy's grip on power in England. The Battle of Sedgemoor not only concluded the Monmouth Rebellion but also set the stage for further repression of dissent against King James II's rule. The actions taken post-battle included the infamous 'hanging of the rebels' and established a chilling precedent in England for dealing with revolutionary movements. The significant British military involvement and the use of modern tactics also foreshadowed future conflicts that would arise in the lead-up to the Glorious Revolution.