WHAT has become known as the last pitched battle on British soil took place 338 years ago today on July 6, 1685.

The Battle of Sedgemoor at Westonzoyland was the decisive engagement between the Kingdom of England and rebels led by the James Scott, the Duke of Monmouth, with victory going to the English army loyal to James II.

The Government were victorious and took around 500 prisoners who were held in the parish church, with many later transported abroad and others were hung, drawn and quartered.

Monmouth, who was Charles II's illegitimate son and had wanted to seize the throne from James II, was captured and executed nine days after the battle.

Monmouth, who had been in Holland, had landed at Lyme Regis and been through a series of marches and skirmishes on his way to Somerset, before his poorly equipped army was pushed back to the Somerset Levels and Bridgwater, which they were ordered to fortify.

The Royalists were camped behind the Bussex Rhine, in Westonzoyland, and Monmouth led his troops out of Bridgwater to launch a night-time attack.

The rebel troops were engaged by the King's Regiment of Horse, who alerted te rest of the Royalist forces, whose superior training led to them heavily defeating the rebels.

In the aftermath, Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys - the Hanging Judge - ruled over the Bloody Assizes held in Taunton Castle, finding 1,300 people guilty.