Explosions shook the quiet fields around Middlezoy yesterday as the bloody battle of Sedgemoor was re-enacted, 325 years after it dragged hundreds of West Country men to their deaths.

The last pitched battle on English soil saw thousands flock to the banner of the protestant Duke of Monmouth when he landed at Lyme Regis to claim the crown from catholic King James. But a battle when he encountered the king's force in fields between Westonzoyland and Chedzoy became a rout. Those who escaped the battle were pursued relentless by Judge Jeffreys sitting at his Bloody Assizes.

Ghosts from the battle, fought in the dark on July 6 1685, seemed to rise again as the Sealed Knot impersonated the king's forces and the Duke's raggle-taggle "pitchfork" army. Three village groups – Westonzoyland Carnival Club, The Zoyland Heritage Fund and Westonzoyland Community Centre, joined forces to commemorate the last battle on English soil.

The weekend included a re-enactment of a skirmish on Saturday, and a moving church service yesterday in the village church of St Mary's which was used after the battle to accommodate prisoners and the wounded.

The king's forces, far better equipped than Monmouth's army of farm workers, were camped behind Bussex Rhine on the fatal night. Monmouth led his him out of Bridgwater at 10pm to mount a surprise night attack. They were guided by Richard Godfrey, servant of a local farmer, but as they negotiated the treacherous ditches one man startled a royalist patrol. A shot was fired, royalist leaders were alerted and the well-oiled machine of King James' Army cut the rebels to ribbons.

Monmouth escaped, only to be captured near Ringwood in Hampshire. He died on the scaffold.

Chris Burge, one of the main event organisers and chairman of Westonzoyland Carnival Club, said: "It is vitally important we never forget the heritage of our village and that we keep the memory of the battle going."