The Bloody Assize
The Tyrant King’s Bloody Revenge
These are the accounts of the Bloody Assize of 1685, presided over by Lord Chief Justice George Jeffreys. The assize was a travelling court of Judges, who over ruled on capital offences beyond the jurisdiction of local magistrates. Due to the nature and scale of the cases to be heard in 1685, the Assize court travelled with two executioners. The Judges should be neutral and offer advise to the defendant and jury. For the Assize of 1685, King James II and Judge Jeffreys had agreed the course of events before Jeffreys left Windsor. Unlike other Assize courts, the King himself selected those to die, those to be sold and those to live. This is the timeline of how 315 men and women are martyred and another 856 are sold into slavery.
When this timeline was started I had no idea that it would last so long or was so poorly covered by other historians. It has been written off as a foot note in the Monmouth Rebellion, yet directly impacts the lives of 1171 men and women across England. I have not been able to research those martyred in Scotland or during the summer Rebellion. So, this is still an incomplete journal of the Bloody Revenge of King James II in the year 1685.
Click here for the list of Towns where Executions took place.
Click here for the lists of those Transported.
The full Bloody Assize Timeline:
A true account of the trial of Alice Lisle in Winchester, given by a witness the justice offered by a tyrant.
A true account of the trial of Alice Lisle in Winchester, given by a witness the justice offered by a tyrant.
A true account of the trial of Alice Lisle in Winchester, given by a witness the justice offered by a tyrant.
This is a true Account of the Sentencing of Lady Alice Lisle by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys on August 28 in Winchester.
This is a true Account of the Sentencing of Lady Alice Lisle by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys on August 28 in Winchester.
This is a true Account of the Sentencing of Lady Alice Lisle by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys on August 28 in Winchester.
An Account of the letter from the friends of Lady Lisle to the King delivered on August 30. 1685
An Account of the letter from the friends of Lady Lisle to the King delivered on August 30. 1685
An Account of the letter from the friends of Lady Lisle to the King delivered on August 30. 1685
An Account of the tyrant Kings response to the request for the reprieve of Alice Lisle on Monday, August 31, 1685
An Account of the tyrant Kings response to the request for the reprieve of Alice Lisle on Monday, August 31, 1685
An Account of the tyrant Kings response to the request for the reprieve of Alice Lisle on Monday, August 31, 1685
An Account of the Western Assize court of Lord Chief Justice Jeffrey at Salisbury.
An Account of the Western Assize court of Lord Chief Justice Jeffrey at Salisbury.
An Account of the Western Assize court of Lord Chief Justice Jeffrey at Salisbury.
An Account of the last moments and words of Lady Lisle before she executed in Winchester, September 2, 1685
An Account of the last moments and words of Lady Lisle before she executed in Winchester, September 2, 1685
An Account of the last moments and words of Lady Lisle before she executed in Winchester, September 2, 1685
The news in London is that Dame Alicia Lisle was beheaded yesterday in Winchester.
The news in London is that Dame Alicia Lisle was beheaded yesterday in Winchester.
The news in London is that Dame Alicia Lisle was beheaded yesterday in Winchester.
This being a brief account of the opening of the Dorchester Assize where 337 souls are to be tried.
This being a brief account of the opening of the Dorchester Assize where 337 souls are to be tried.
This being a brief account of the opening of the Dorchester Assize where 337 souls are to be tried.
An account of the first day at the Dorchester Assize where 29 men have been sentenced to death
An account of the first day at the Dorchester Assize where 29 men have been sentenced to death
An account of the first day at the Dorchester Assize where 29 men have been sentenced to death
For some sentenced to die tomorrow there is a reprieve as Mr Ketch can only kill and quarter 13 in one day, even with the help of Pascha Rose
For some sentenced to die tomorrow there is a reprieve as Mr Ketch can only kill and quarter 13 in one day, even with the help of Pascha Rose
For some sentenced to die tomorrow there is a reprieve as Mr Ketch can only kill and quarter 13 in one day, even with the help of Pascha Rose
An account of the thirteen Martyrs executed in Dorchester by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the thirteen Martyrs executed in Dorchester by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the thirteen Martyrs executed in Dorchester by Lord Jeffreys
A list of the final sentences from the Dorchester Assize as given by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
A list of the final sentences from the Dorchester Assize as given by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
A list of the final sentences from the Dorchester Assize as given by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
An account of the nine Martyrs executed in Bridport by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the nine Martyrs executed in Bridport by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the nine Martyrs executed in Bridport by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the twelve Martyrs executed in Lyme Regis by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the twelve Martyrs executed in Lyme Regis by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the twelve Martyrs executed in Lyme Regis by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the last words of our friend, Sir John Kidd, martyred at Lyme on September 12, 1685.
An account of the last words of our friend, Sir John Kidd, martyred at Lyme on September 12, 1685.
An account of the last words of our friend, Sir John Kidd, martyred at Lyme on September 12, 1685.
The list of three Martyrs executed in the West after sentencing by Lord Jeffreys
The list of three Martyrs executed in the West after sentencing by Lord Jeffreys
The list of three Martyrs executed in the West after sentencing by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the executions and a list of the martyrs at Sherborne on the orders of Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
An account of the executions and a list of the martyrs at Sherborne on the orders of Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
An account of the executions and a list of the martyrs at Sherborne on the orders of Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
Of the twelve Martyrs executed in Weymouth on orders of Lord Jeffreys
Of the twelve Martyrs executed in Weymouth on orders of Lord Jeffreys
Of the twelve Martyrs executed in Weymouth on orders of Lord Jeffreys
An account of the first day of the Taunton Assize court presided over by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
An account of the first day of the Taunton Assize court presided over by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
An account of the first day of the Taunton Assize court presided over by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
A letter from Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys to King James II detailing the value of each rebel.
A letter from Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys to King James II detailing the value of each rebel.
A letter from Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys to King James II detailing the value of each rebel.
The four martyrs that died at Taunton and the final list of verdicts from the Assize court.
The four martyrs that died at Taunton and the final list of verdicts from the Assize court.
The four martyrs that died at Taunton and the final list of verdicts from the Assize court.
Of the eleven Martyrs executed in Poole on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the eleven Martyrs executed in Poole on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the eleven Martyrs executed in Poole on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Six Martyrs executed in Wareham and Wells on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Six Martyrs executed in Wareham and Wells on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Six Martyrs executed in Wareham and Wells on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the 543 men at Wells awaiting this bloody Assize Court of Judge Jeffreys
Of the 543 men at Wells awaiting this bloody Assize Court of Judge Jeffreys
Of the 543 men at Wells awaiting this bloody Assize Court of Judge Jeffreys
Of the 93 men transported to Barbados on the Happy Return from Weymouth
Of the 93 men transported to Barbados on the Happy Return from Weymouth
Of the 93 men transported to Barbados on the Happy Return from Weymouth
Of the 18 Martyrs executed in Taunton on the orders of King James II
Of the 18 Martyrs executed in Taunton on the orders of King James II
Of the 18 Martyrs executed in Taunton on the orders of King James II
Of the 3 Martyrs executed in Wellington on the orders of King James II
Of the 3 Martyrs executed in Wellington on the orders of King James II
Of the 3 Martyrs executed in Wellington on the orders of King James II
Of the Seven Martyrs executed in the West on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Seven Martyrs executed in the West on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Seven Martyrs executed in the West on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Martyrs executed in Bristol on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Martyrs executed in Bristol on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Martyrs executed in Bristol on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
The 93 men transported on the Happy Return from Weymouth to Barbados by Sir William Booth
The 93 men transported on the Happy Return from Weymouth to Barbados by Sir William Booth
The 93 men transported on the Happy Return from Weymouth to Barbados by Sir William Booth
Of those Martyred in Axminster and Ottery St Mary on orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of those Martyred in Axminster and Ottery St Mary on orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of those Martyred in Axminster and Ottery St Mary on orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the seven Martyrs executed in Somerton on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the seven Martyrs executed in Somerton on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the seven Martyrs executed in Somerton on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
A true account of the trails of Mr Ring, Mr Fernley, Mr Cornish and Mrs Gaunt at the Old Bailey
A true account of the trails of Mr Ring, Mr Fernley, Mr Cornish and Mrs Gaunt at the Old Bailey
A true account of the trails of Mr Ring, Mr Fernley, Mr Cornish and Mrs Gaunt at the Old Bailey
97 men are transported on the Indeavour from Bristol to St Kitts & Nevis by Sir William Stapleton
97 men are transported on the Indeavour from Bristol to St Kitts & Nevis by Sir William Stapleton
97 men are transported on the Indeavour from Bristol to St Kitts & Nevis by Sir William Stapleton
The 14 men transported on the Rebecca from Bristol to Barbados by Mr Jerome Nipho.
The 14 men transported on the Rebecca from Bristol to Barbados by Mr Jerome Nipho.
The 14 men transported on the Rebecca from Bristol to Barbados by Mr Jerome Nipho.
The Martyrdoms of Mrs Elisabeth Gaunt at Tyburn and Mr Henry Cornish at Cheapside
The Martyrdoms of Mrs Elisabeth Gaunt at Tyburn and Mr Henry Cornish at Cheapside
The Martyrdoms of Mrs Elisabeth Gaunt at Tyburn and Mr Henry Cornish at Cheapside
The 90 men transported on the John Friggat from Bristol to Barbados by Sir William Booth.
The 90 men transported on the John Friggat from Bristol to Barbados by Sir William Booth.
The 90 men transported on the John Friggat from Bristol to Barbados by Sir William Booth.
The 172 men transported on the Port Royal Merchant from Weymouth to Jamaica and 26 that escaped.
The 172 men transported on the Port Royal Merchant from Weymouth to Jamaica and 26 that escaped.
The 172 men transported on the Port Royal Merchant from Weymouth to Jamaica and 26 that escaped.
A brief account of the trial of Captain Richard Nelthorp and Colonel John Ayloff for High Treason
A brief account of the trial of Captain Richard Nelthorp and Colonel John Ayloff for High Treason
A brief account of the trial of Captain Richard Nelthorp and Colonel John Ayloff for High Treason
This day Captain Richard Nelthorp is martyred before Grays Inns and Colonel John Ayloff martyred at Temple Gate
This day Captain Richard Nelthorp is martyred before Grays Inns and Colonel John Ayloff martyred at Temple Gate
This day Captain Richard Nelthorp is martyred before Grays Inns and Colonel John Ayloff martyred at Temple Gate
84 men are transported on the Constant Richard to Jamaica by White & Heywood
84 men are transported on the Constant Richard to Jamaica by White & Heywood
84 men are transported on the Constant Richard to Jamaica by White & Heywood
Of the three Martyrs executed in Nether Stowey & Stogursey on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the three Martyrs executed in Nether Stowey & Stogursey on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the three Martyrs executed in Nether Stowey & Stogursey on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the eight Martyrs executed in Bath & Chewton Mendip on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the eight Martyrs executed in Bath & Chewton Mendip on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the eight Martyrs executed in Bath & Chewton Mendip on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
The 80 men transported on the Betty from Weymouth to Barbados
The 80 men transported on the Betty from Weymouth to Barbados
The 80 men transported on the Betty from Weymouth to Barbados
Of the five Martyrs executed in Stogumber & Dulverton on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the five Martyrs executed in Stogumber & Dulverton on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the five Martyrs executed in Stogumber & Dulverton on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the five Martyrs executed in Porlock & Dunster on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the five Martyrs executed in Porlock & Dunster on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the five Martyrs executed in Porlock & Dunster on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the three Martyrs executed in Minehead on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the three Martyrs executed in Minehead on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the three Martyrs executed in Minehead on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
The 182 transported on the Jamaica Merchant from Weymouth to Barbados
The 182 transported on the Jamaica Merchant from Weymouth to Barbados
The 182 transported on the Jamaica Merchant from Weymouth to Barbados
