Born James Scott (or Crofts or Fitzroy) at Rotterdam. Illegitimate son of King Charles II and Lucy Walter. He came to England in 1662 where he was created Duke of Monmouth. 1682 he had Monmouth House built in what is now Soho Square.
At the death of Charles II, he landed at Lyme Regis, raised a fighting force, and at Taunton, declared himself as King James II, to the displeasure of King James II, legitimate son of King Charles II. He was captured and returned to London where he was beheaded on Tower Hill. A grim little story says that after his death his head was stitched back on his body so that a painting could be made, possibly the one of a man, once identified as Monmouth, lying down with his eyes shut.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
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