Duke of Monmouth

Royal bastard and pretender to the English throne. Charles II acknowledged his illegitimate son and gave him his title. In 1668 he was made Captain of Life Guards and commanded the English contingent in the Third Dutch War (1672-4). As Colonel of the King's Bodyguard, he persuaded his father that day and night protection was necessary because of the inflammatory speeches made by the Earl of Shaftsbury and Titus Oates. Thus was the post of Gold Stick instigated which survives to this day. The Colonels of the Household Cavalry regiments work in shifts to be available day and night to attend the soveriegn (in theory, anyway).
On the accession of James II, Monmouth raised a futile rebellion which was soon crushed and his adherents ruthlessly dealt with (Judge Jeffries and his 'Bloody Assizes). Monmouth himself was found in a ditch and brought to London for execution. The executioner was so inept that it took five strokes of the sword to sever his head.