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The Bloody Assizes is the name given to a barbaric 17th Century trial in Dorchester. More than 300 rebels were hanged, drawn and quartered and their remains displayed in towns and villages throughout Dorset. Another 1000 or so rebels were imprisoned, flogged or transported to Barbados. The rebels were following the not-so-wise leadership of the Duke of Monmouth who was the illegitimate son of King Charles II. Charles was known as The Merry Monarch, and for good reason. He had at least fourteen illegitimate children to 13 mistresses, including his favourite, the lovely Nell Gwyn.
In 1685 the Duke landed at Lyme Regis with the intention of overthrowing King James I and taking the throne for himself. He was soundly defeated at the Battle of Sedgemoor (in Somerset) and taken to the Tower of London where he was beheaded. It took four swings of the axe to sever his head completely.
On a lighter note, it was James I who sponsored the King James Version of the Bible in 1611 and who so enjoyed a piece of loin beef one evening, he knighted it saying, “Arise, Sir Loin”.
And, speaking of things bizarre… Charles II set up the exclusive ‘Wig Club’ which had at its centre a wig made from the pubic hair of the king’s mistresses. Joining members were required to produce a lock of pubic hair from their own mistresses to be woven into the original wig.
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