Monument record MDO45579 - Monmouth's Ash, Woodlands

Site of the capture of the Duke of MONMOUTH A.D. 1685 HUTCHINS says it stands in the midst of a heath called SHAGS HEATH where there is an enclosure of several fields called 'THE ISLAND" (because surrounded by heath.) <1> <3>

"After the battle of SEDGEMOOR the DUKE of MONMOUTH lay hidden beneath this tree & was found & taken prisoner by SIR WILLIAM PORTMAN & his Militia A.D. 1685" - plaque on tree. Only the shell of the tree now remains - the interior appears to have been burned out, and it is liable to collapse at any time. <4>

<1> Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds), 1861, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 1, 156 (Monograph). SWX4496.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1902 (Map). SWX1540.

[SU 06080716] Monmouth's Ash [T.I.]

<3> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1921, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club for 1920, xxxiii (Serial). SDO17723.

<4> Swatridge, G C, Various, Field Investigators Comments GCS, F1 GCS 23-MAR-54 (Unpublished document). SWX1169.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 212931 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 16 2023 3:05PM