Battles & Campaigns · 1645
Battle of Rowton Heath
Rowton, near Chester, England, UK
What happened
After losing at Naseby, Charles marched to relieve besieged Chester. Poyntz, whom the King thought far behind, attacked Langdale's cavalry outside the city. Reinforcements from Chester joined Poyntz, and in the afternoon the Royalists broke and fled toward Chester.
Why it matters
It stopped Charles from relieving Chester, the last Royalist port and a link to recruits from Ireland and North Wales.
What came next
Charles left the next day, and Chester surrendered on 3 February 1646.
Did you know?
One officer crossed the River Dee in a washtub to avoid a 10-mile detour.
Timeline
- 14 Jun 1645Battle of Naseby.
- 24 Sep 1645Battle of Rowton Heath.
- 15 Oct 1645Royalist cavalry defeated at Sherburn in Elmet.
- 3 Feb 1646Chester surrenders.