The History of Chester in the English Civil War

This City is a Major UK Historical Attraction

Mar 23, 2009

Chester is a beautiful city in the North West of England dating back to Roman times, and is a mecca for history fans. Its links with the English Civil War are strong.

Chester, as a Royalist stronghold, was heavily involved in the first English Civil War and King Charles I spent time here in 1645, four years before his execution in 1649. The city was strategically very useful to the King for several reasons. The city walls, which date back to Chester’s Roman origins were a distinct advantage and they were strengthened at the beginning of the war in 1642-3. Its location near the coast was a useful landing place for Irish troops and it had good road connections with the North West, Midlands and Western Scotland.

Many important people were involved in the battles at Chester. Sir William Brereton was the Parliamentary Commander in Cheshire, and Sir Nicholas Byron was the Military Governor on the Royalist side. He was captured in 1644 and his son John, Lord Byron took over his role.

The Battle of Rowton Heath

The Battle of Rowton Heath (about four miles from the city) on 24th September 1645, was a disaster for the Royalists. The King suffered heavy military losses and fled the city the next day to go into hiding, giving his permission for surrender. Despite several calls from the Parliamentarians, it was not until 20th January the following year that fighting ceased. Brereton’s forces took occupation on 3rd February.

The Ordinary People of Chester in the Civil War

In his BBC Radio 4 series, ‘Voices of the Powerless’, Melvyn Bragg argues that Chester became Royalist due to trading privileges, and ‘the war would have come as quite a shock to its inhabitants, who were used to a relatively peaceful and prosperous life.’ Indeed, there was an outbreak of plague in 1647 which killed two thousand people. It is highly likely that overcrowding in the city, food and water restrictions and sanitation problems contributed to this devastating loss.

Remains of the Civil War in Chester Today

The King Charles Tower, situated inbetween the Northgate and the Eastgate of the city wall, has a plaque stating that ‘King Charles stood on this Tower, September 24th 1645, and saw his army defeated on Rowton Moor.’ Though it is debatable whether Rowton Moor could be seen from this distance, there were vigorous battles around the city wall which he certainly could have observed. The tower was badly damaged in the war and was almost entirely rebuilt in 1646.

Gamul House on Lower Bridge Street has a beautiful stone fireplace commemorating a visit from King Charles I. He stayed here as a guest in 1645. On the same street is an inn, Ye Olde King’s Head, which dates back to 1622.

The Boot Inn on Eastgate Row, dating from around 1643, was used by Royalist troops as a meeting place. There is a musket from the civil war period behind the bar.

Melvyn Bragg, Voices of the Powerless: The Siege of Chester During the English Civil War, BBC Radio 4, 22nd August 2002

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