The Great Siege of Chester by John Barratt

Author:John Barratt [Barratt, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: English Civil Wars, Battles & Campaigns, Fortifications, Early Modern
ISBN: 9780752423456
Amazon: 0752423452
Goodreads: 903986
Publisher: The History Press
Published: 2003-03-02T10:00:00+00:00

It must have been approaching 4 a.m. by the time that this decision was reached, and it may have been up to an hour later before Langdale was informed. He may also have been instructed to withdraw nearer to Chester, so that he could be supported more easily, but it was by now dawn, and Langdale’s scouts reported Poyntz’s column approaching from the south.

The terrain over which the opening phases of the battle were to be fought consisted mainly of large areas of unenclosed sandy heathland. There were however some small enclosures in the cultivated areas around such small villages as Rowton and Waverton. The area was traversed by a number of lanes, and by the Whitchurch–Chester road, itself no more than a sandy track, lined by hedges in places, such as the point where it crossed from Hatton onto Miller’s Heath.

It was probably on Miller’s Heath that Langdale drew up his main force. Details of his deployment are lacking, though the Royalists were probably formed into about six divisions, whilst Langdale lined with dragoons the hedges on the road connecting the two areas of heathland.

On this occasion Parliamentarian reconnaissance also seems to have been faulty, for Poyntz apparently did not learn of Langdale’s proximity until his vanguard came under fire from the hedgerows. A Parliamentarian account admitted that the two sides met ‘before they knew [of] one another.’6

Poyntz’s troopers were strung out in column of march, and possibly because of the enclosed nature of the terrain at this point, seem to have had difficulty in deploying. Poyntz also seems to have discounted the strength of the opposition, and hoped to force his way through the ambush with a rush using the troops immediately available.

The Parliamentarians ‘immediately drew into order, and advanced upon them (though all his force were not then come up).’7 The vanguard, apparently consisting of Hugh Bethell’s and Richard Greave’s regiments, together with Poyntz’s lifeguard, may by now have too entangled with the Royalist ambuscade to withdraw easily. The main initial encounter took place on the road itself, where the Royalists,

in order confronted our van led by Colonel Hugh Bethell in the midst of a lane betwixt two moors covered with armed men of both Battailes, where was given a very sharp and gallant charge by both parties, for after Pistolls were discharged at half Pikes distance [about 6–8ft] they disputed the matter with their swords a full quarter of an houre, neither yielding ground to the other, until at length the enemy were forced to retreat.8

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