Siege of Chester

EARL OF MANCHESTER AND THE SEIGE OF CHESTER The Siege of Chester was a siege of the First English Civil War, between February 1645 and January 1646, with an intermission during the summer of 1645. From the beginning of the war, the city of Chester was held by forces loyal to the King. It was first besieged in late 1644, but was relieved in March 1645 by Prince Maurice. With fighting continuing around Cheshire, the siege was not pursued again in earnest until September 1645, continuing ferociously until the following January. At the Battle of Rowton Heath in September, King Charles himself failed to lift the siege, suffering a disastrous defeat. Throughout the siege, which varied considerably in intensity, the garrison was commanded by Lord Byron, who in the final months strongly defended the city against great odds. In January 1646 faced by the starvation of the inhabitants, Byron was persuaded to surrender, and the city was occupied by forces of the New Model Army under Sir William Brereton. CHESTER CITY CENTRE RE ENACTMENT 2014