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When in 1685 Charles II. died, and Monmouth made his attempt to disturb the succession of James, it was to Somerset that he looked for support. After landing at Lyme, he entered the county at Chard, and passing through Ilminster, was proclaimed king at Taunton and Bridgwater. He threatened Bath, but it refused to surrender; and he thereupon retired to Norton St Philip, intending to enter Wilts.
The next morning the Duke's forces marched to Ilminster, about four miles off, and encamped in a field about half a mile beyond the town; still he was looking forward to the arrival of fresh levies headed by men of consequence. None, however, arrived, though labouring men in vast numbers would have joined his standard if arms could have been found for them.
It bears a motto and the date 1586, and owes its origin to Humfrey Walrond. Ilton, a village on the Ile, 2 m. N. of Ilminster. It has a church of some interest. Keinton-Mandeville, a large village 4 m. E.N.E. of Somerton, lying for the most part along the Castle Cary road, with a station on the Castle Cary and Langport loop-line. The church is in a field at the S. extremity of the village.
The interior is not particularly interesting, but note panelled arch on N. of sanctuary, aumbry in N. aisle, square font. The pulpit has been constructed out of two old pews. Near the church is an old cylindrical "lock-up." Puckington, a small village 3 m. N.E. of Ilminster. There is also a Norm, font with cable moulding. Puriton, a parish 3-3/4 m. N.N.E. from Bridgwater, 3/4 m. from Dunball.
Behind them came the musters of Winterbourne, Ilminster, Chard, Yeovil, and Collumpton, a hundred or more pikesmen to each, bringing the tally of the regiment to a thousand men.
In the narrow lane by Hay Farm a horseman, going in the opposite direction, passed them at the gallop; but they had met several such since leaving Ilminster, for indeed the news was spreading fast, and the whole countryside was alive with messengers, some on foot and some on horseback, but all hurrying as if their lives depended on their haste.
S.W. of Ilminster, from which it is most directly approached by a footpath. The church is Perp., and has been well restored. There is a stoup at the W. entrance, and another in the N. chapel. In the parish are the remains of an old manor house. Doulting, a small village 2 m. E. from Shepton Mallet, on the road to Frome.
St Barbara is said to be the patron saint of hills; hence perhaps her connection with Cucklington. Cudworth, a small isolated hamlet 3 m. S.E. of Ilminster. The church is a very plain building without a tower, chiefly Perp., but retaining some Dec. work, and examples of the still earlier Norm. period. Culbone, a small parish 9-1/2 m. W. of Minehead.
It is situated a few miles east of Ilminster, in the hundred of South Petherton. Its exact age is uncertain, but it seems probable that it was built by Henry, Lord Daubeney, created Earl of Bridgewater in 1539, whose ancestors had owned the place since early Plantagenet times.
A short distance north is Ilminster, an ancient market town with a beautiful Perpendicular church crowned with a poem in stone that is of surpassing loveliness even in this county of lovely towers. White Staunton, four miles away to the west towards the Blackdown country, has a church remarkable for the number of interesting details it contains, though the fabric itself is rather commonplace.
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