Infamous as the Hanging Judge, he was despatched by James II to deal with the defeated rebels following the Battle of Sedgemoor in 1685. His trials, the Bloody Assizes, saw 300 executed and many more transported. He rose in favour but sought sanctuary from vengeful enemies in the Tower of London after James was deposed. He died there, and was later buried in St Mary Aldermanbury near the London Guildhall. (bio by: Mark McManus)