Battle of Nantwich

The Battle of Nantwich took place during the English Civil War, between the forces of Parliament and of King Charles I to the northwest of the town of Nantwich in Cheshire on 26 January 1644 (some sources say 24 January). The town was occupied by Parliamentary forces in what was predominantly a county with Royalist sympathies. During the siege the town's forces were commanded by the Major General of Cheshire, Sir William Brereton.

2,500 men under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax attacked the encircling (and divided) army of Lord Byron, raising the six-week siege of Nantwich.

Nantwich was considered to be strategically significant both by the Parliamentarians and the Royalists since it was a conjunction of several roads. It is seen by some as a watershed in the Civil War since it is thought that if Nantwich had fallen the Royalists would have been clear to march to Scotland to join forces with General Montrose, who was ready to combine with them.

There is an annual re-enactment of the battle by The Sealed Knot on the 25 January; the commemorative day of the battle is celebrated by the local people as "Holy Holly Day". [ [http://freespace.virgin.net/nantwich.museum/battle_of_nantwich.htm Battle of Nantwich... and Holly Holy Day] on the Nantwich Museum web site]

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