# Monmouth — The Great Roxhythe character guide

> Monmouth in The Great Roxhythe by Georgette Heyer.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Duke of Monmouth, the Duke

**First appearance:** 0051-vi-monmouth

## Snapshot

The King's handsome illegitimate son, pushed toward the throne by Shaftesbury's ambition and his own restless sense of destiny.

## Who they are

Monmouth returns from Scotland triumphant, his cause fanned by rumours of a marriage certificate sealed in a box, and shows himself everywhere the moment Charles falls ill. Shaftesbury sways him to his will, inducing him to defy the King and return to London against orders. His ambition becomes the lever by which the Exclusion crisis is forced to a head — and the reason Charles must choose between a son who will not wait and a brother he has already banished once.

## Relationships

### [King Charles II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/king_charles_ii)

_family_

Monmouth is King Charles II's illegitimate son, whom the king loves but keeps at a political distance due to succession concerns.

### [Lord Roxhythe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/lord_roxhythe)

_professional_

Lord Roxhythe interacts with Monmouth as part of court politics, often managing the king's interests regarding his son.

### [King Charles II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/king_charles_ii)

_family_

Monmouth is King Charles II's illegitimate son, whom the king loves but keeps at a political distance due to succession concerns.

### [Lord Roxhythe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/lord_roxhythe)

_professional_

Lord Roxhythe interacts with Monmouth as part of court politics, often managing the king's interests regarding his son.

### [Lord Roxhythe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/lord_roxhythe)

_professional_

Lord Roxhythe interacts with Monmouth as part of court politics, often managing the king's interests regarding his son.

### [King Charles II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/king_charles_ii)

_family_

Monmouth is King Charles II's illegitimate son, whom the king loves but keeps at a political distance due to succession concerns.

## In the story

### [I: January, 1669](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/i-january-1669)

Joins in the banter at court, questioning Roxhythe about his latest ladylove.

### [XI: Unrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/xi-unrest)

In high spirits at Bevan Court, talks of leading English troops to Holland the next year.

### [VIII: The Amiable Mr. Milward Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/viii-the-amiable-mr-milward-again)

Seen riding out to the chase; stays in a house in the town with his household.

### [IX: Disillusionment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ix-disillusionment)

Monmouth is referenced as the possible recipient of a letter Christopher delivered, and as the commander of English troops left in Holland.

### [I: The Triple Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/i-the-triple-game)

Considered as a possible successor by Shaftesbury's faction; Roxhythe feigns support for him as part of his cover.

### [II: The Schemers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ii-the-schemers)

Discussed as a puppet of Shaftesbury; his potential generalship in Scotland is proposed to boost his popularity.

### [III: Agitations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/iii-agitations)

Returns to London secretly; deprived of generalship; used as a tool by Shaftesbury.

### [IV: The King His Triumph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/iv-the-king-his-triumph)

Plans a rising but is kept uncertain by Roxhythe's machinations.

### [Plots](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/v-plots)

Hosts a meeting of conspirators but opposes murder, showing indecision and weakness.

### [VI: Monmouth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/vi-monmouth)

Confronted by Roxhythe; initially terrified and betrayed, then advised to flee and surrender later.

### [IX: The Sunderlands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ix-the-sunderlands)

Monmouth is mentioned as seeking to recruit Roxhythe, with Trenchard acting as his emissary.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/monmouth
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters