Monmouth reached Bridgwater on July 3rd, and now faced the inevitable encounter with the army of King James II. Seeing that it was useless to try to hold Bridgwater and realising that the feelings of many local people had turned against him, he had decided to retreat again. But at this moment came the news, brought by a lad named Richard Godfrey who was looking after some cattle grazing on the moors, that the King's army, which had advanced from Somerton towards Bridgwater, was camping for the night at Weston Zoyland. Monmouth, with some of his officers, climbed the church tower at Bridgwater and with a spy-glass examined the position of his opponents four miles away across the moors. It appeared undefended by any earthworks or trenches, and a decision was taken to make a roundabout approach towards the enemy in a night attack, using Godfrey with his detailed knowledge of the lanes or trackways and, above all, the position of the 'plungeons' ­ the simple plank bridges across the deep drainage ditches or rhines (particularly the Bussex rhine nearest to the enemy). This desperate plan, to surprise an unsuspecting enemy at night, seemed the only possible way by which the ill-trained ond poorly-armed rebels could hope to succeed against regular troops who were still inferior in numbers. But it placed enormous responsibility upon the young man who was to lead the march and, most difficult of all, to find, in darkness, the bridges on which the whole operation depended.

Feversham had decided that a camp at Weston Zoyland would provide a safe resting place from which any attempt by the rebels to move towards the North or East could be checked. Though doubting the possibility of any attack, full preparations were made for defence behind an apparently deep, impassable ditch, the Bussex Rhine, which protected the village and the camping ground on the Bridgwater side and towards the north. A party of dragoons was sent to Burrow Bridge to secure the important crossing over the Parrett-there was no other bridge between that place and Bridgwater-and on the main road from Weston to Bridgwater outposts were established in several parties of cavalry and musketeers. One force under Oglethorpe took up a position on Knowle Hill, ready to intercept any attempt by Monmouth to escape towards Bristol.

Leaving Bridgwater at about 10 p.m., the rebels, with Godfrey to guide them in their fateful march, moved slowly and as silently as possible along the old Bristol road towards Bawdrip. Turning south along Bradney Lane and Marsh Lane, with the cavalry leading, they came to the open level moor with its deep and dangerous rhines. Only two and a half miles away their enemy lay. At the Langmoor Rhine Godfrey missed the crossing. After search in an agony of delay, the way over was found but the first men across startled a cavalry trooper from Compton's patrol, who fired his pistol and galloped off to report. The pistol shot was not heard at Weston Zoyland, but to the rebels it meant the total failure of a surprise attack, their one hope of success in the campaign.

Warning of Monmouth's approach was sent back to Weston, and with the call of 'Beat the drums, the enemy is come' the royal army prepared for action hastily but without confusion. The infantry in their six battalions were quickly in position. The rebel cavalry, under Lord Grey, rode forward but failed to find the plungeon or crossing over the Bussex Rhine and were forced by the infantry fire into confusion and panic. A few tried to secure the second crossing of the rhine but failed also. The uncontrollable horses fled into some of the oncoming rebel infantry, adding to the confusion. Nevertheless, the rebel infantry still advanced towards the royal army, and the Dutch gunners with their little cannon, caused considerable casualties among their opponents. But the infantry could not cross the rhine; and as they grouped and fired towards the enemy, great gaps were cut in their ranks by the royal cannon. Cavalry also rode out across the plungeons as the patrols began to come in towards the sounds of battle, and with a pincer movement they attacked the main body of the rebels who continued to fight bravely, though their leaders had decided on flight and were riding off towards the Polden Hills and Bristol. The regular infantry had by now discovered that the Bussex Rhine was neither deep nor difficult, so they crossed the ditch and joined the fight. The rebels were being slaughtered despite their courage, and with dawn the task began of rounding up those who had managed to escape. Aided by the Wiltshire militia, who had remained at Middlezoy (for Feversham was doubtful of their loyalty) the royal troops began the task of dealing with the prisoners-more than 200 were kept in the church-and burying the corpses left on the battlefield. The casualties are reckoned as about 400 rebels who died in the battle, with many more killed in the pursuit and rounding up of those who tried to escape, while only about 50 regular soldiers lost their lives and about 200 were wounded. These figures can only be approximate. The main body of the army returned to its quarters, the militia were sent home, but two regiments, both from Tangier, one under Colonel Kirke-the Oueen's Regiment, called Lambs from the design in their badge-remained for occupation duty and for mopping-up in the district. Their cruelty, in hanging without trial men taken as prisoners, earned them lasting hatred.

Monmouth and Grey escaped into Dorset hoping to find a ship at Poole to take them to France: but by now the whole countryside was being watched by militiamen and the promise of a reward of £5000 led to an intensive search. Monmouth was found hiding in a ditch at Horton, and taken to London. Though he pleaded abjectly for mercy, he showed courage when he was beheaded on Tower Hill on July 15th. Meanwhile took place the rounding-up and capture of the rebels, the sufferings of the prisoners (especially those who were wounded) and their ordeals in the dreadfully insanitary prisons where they were held before trial.