Somerset: A Troubled Century 1600-1699

By Allan Bunyan

The morning of the 20 th January must have seemed like another day as the population of Somerset “prepared themselves to their affairs”. Within minutes this scene of tranquillity was shattered by what must at first have seemed a surreal sight.

Eye witness accounts relate how what appeared to be “huge mighty hills of water tumbling over one another as if the greatest mountains of the world had overwhelmed the low villages of marshy ground”.

The worst affected areas were the low lying flatlands in north Somerset and the levels in central Somerset. In total perhaps 2,000 people died on both sides of the Severn in what was to prove the biggest natural disaster to hit mainland Britain. The population of Somerset could not have realised it but this was only the start of their problems.

Having avoided the worst excesses of the War of the Roses and the Barons War, Somerset was destined to become centre stage in national events throughout the century. Whole communities were torn apart by riots, civil war and rebellion. Taunton and Bridgwater were the scenes of some of the most brutal fighting in the civil war.

At one time the fighting was so intense at the siege Taunton that “nothing was seen but fire and nothing was heard but thunder.”

The end of the war brought problems of its own. Houses and bridges had been destroyed, crops burnt and livestock either stolen or slaughtered. Former enemies often made for uneasy neighbours. This atmosphere of suspicion possibly contributed to the Somerset Witch Trials which featured some of the most disturbing “evidence” ever given in the history of the county.

Believing that victory in the civil war was down to God’s will the new government embarked on a mission of moral regeneration with a puritanical zeal. All travel on the sabbath was banned, church marriages were replaced by a civil ceremony and adultery became a capital offence.

Perhaps the most famous incident was the banning of Christmas which was replace by Thanksgiving on the 30th January. Following the death of Oliver Cromwell, most places welcomed the accession of Charles II, although not everyone in Somerset shared those sentiments Taunton went out of it’s way to provoke the new regime. The town was the scene of a number of riots and disturbances. It was no surprise that it was a fertile recruiting ground during the ill fated Monmouth rebellion. Taunton suffered more than most following the collapse of the rebellion after the disastrous battle of Sedgemoor. It was the scene of numerous executions as the county learnt the folly of rebellion.

The county gained some degree of revenge when the Prince of Orange made a triumphal progress through the county just over 4 years later. For the majority of people the century ended as it had begun, a life of unremitting struggle just to make a living.

“Well researched and tells a series of compelling stories.” The Leveller

“Fascinating portraits of forgotten figures.”

Exmoor magazine

We have a copy of Allan’s wonderful book to give away. Simply visit wgalink.com/somersetbook and enter our competition. Good luck!