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Kind Charles signs a "cessation" with Irish Confederates
As a result Charles I can recall several english regiments ro re-inforce his army. -
The recalled armies re-group in Cheshire
Several of the recalled regiments from Ireland are sent to Cheshire where a new field army is being created. -
The siege starts...
January 1643, Parliamentarians take the town of "Namptwiche" (Cheshire’s second town) as it was known then and lay siege to the town because of its highly strategic position on the road to Chester where Royalist reinforcements from Ireland could be landed. -
Lord Byron takes charge
In December the new army based in Cheshire is given to Lord Byron to command. -
The Barthomley Massacre
Byron launches an attack from the South with 5000 men against the garrisons of Parlaimentarians stationed in Cheshire. At Barthomley church, despite the privileges of sanctuary, Parliamentarians are smoked out of the church after fire is lit and at least 12 of the prisoners are executed by Byron's men. -
Bleak for Brereton
Sir William Brereton, commander of the Parliamentarians in Cheshire confronts Byron but is defeated at the second battle of Middlewich and retreats. Nantwich is the only town left under their control! -
Nantwich or bust
Nantwich is the only town left under Parliamentarian control. It has 2000 men. Despite this the sieged town repels an attack by Byron which inflicts 500 casualties. Byron is reduced to 3500 men bu maintains his siege of the town. Brereton fears the worse and pleads for help and re-inforcements. -
Fairfax to the rescue
Sir Thomas Fairfax is ordered to move from Manchester to Nantwich. He is accompanied by Brereton and together their force numbers 1800 cavalry, 500 dragons, 2500 infantry and a few hundred peasant fighters. whilst large in size the army has been decimated by war, poorly equipped in part and unfit. -
Fairfax reaches Delamere Forest
On 24 January, Fairfax's force breaks through a Royalist road block attempting to stop access to Nantwich -
Battle Stage 2
The initial attacks of the Royalists were successful. On the left of the Royalist line, Byron pushed back the Parliamentarians under Colonels Booth and Holland. Despite the Royalist success on the flanks, in the centre they were less fortunate. The terrain and the flooding meant that by the time the full force was re-assembled, Fairfax was ready for them. Fierce fighting followed and the Royalists were pushed back. -
The Battle of Acton
Meanwhile, Byron is stationed at Acton, a small village one mile from Nantwich. Most of the Royalist artillery was massed in Acton churchyard, a relatively strong position as the geography of the surrounding land had numerous ditches and hedges preventing swift access. The weather is appalling with torrential rain during down on to snow covered fields. Nevertheless, Fairfax attacks at 2pm -
Battle Stage 4
Gibson’s forces, now under intensive attack, retreated back towards Acton where they made their stand at St Mary's Church. Over 1,500 men would surrender to the Parliamentarians including every Colonel in Byron's army save his brother. Both Sir John Byron and Robert Byron managed to disengage their respective forces and retreated towards Chester. -
Battle Stage 3
Despite the Royalist success on the flanks, in the centre they were less fortunate. The enclosed fields had delayed the advance of the main body of Royalists under Colonels Earle and Warren. By the time they arrived at the Parliamentary line, Fairfax was ready for them. Fierce fighting followed and the Royalists were pushed back with Warren's Regiment breaking. -
Battle Stage 1
Aware of Fairfax's advance, Byron deployed his forces to intercept. It was difficult as the terrain consisted of fields enclosed by thick hedgerows made worse by a sudden thaw and the River Weaver flooding as a result. Byron ordered his infantry and artillery to go to the drier west bank while he took the cavalry around to meet them. However, the flood had swept the bridge away forcing him to take a 6 mile detour. -
Game over
On 25 January 1644, the siege was lifted and the people rejoiced. They wore holly sprigs in their hats in celebration – hence Holly Holy Day. -
The aftermath
The Parliamentarian victory halted a run of Royalist successes in the area. It also stopped King Charles I's plan to create a northwest army made up of returning Irish regiments. The victory also gave Parliamentarians more time to develop its strategy for taking the vital port of Chester. One Royalist officer taken prisoner at Nantwich was Colonel George Monck who later changed sides and played a prominent part in the Commonwealth of England and the Restoration. -
Fast forward 327 years
The Nantwich Historical Society first commemorated the battle in a simple wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial in The Square in 1971 -
But that's not all
Then the Sealed Knot Society, an organisation which perpetuates the memory of the civil war and re-enacts its major battles throughout the year, became involved. The first modern re-enactment of the Battle of Nantwich took place in 1973 to give the town one of its most exciting spectacles. It has taken place every year since.
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