In 1685 , Defoe joined the ill - fated Monmouth Rebellion .
In 1685 , Defoe gained a pardon , by which he escaped the Bloody Assizes of Judge George Jeffreys .
In 1685 , Defoe joined the ill - fated Monmouth Rebellion but gained a pardon , by which he escaped the Bloody Assizes of Judge George Jeffreys .