A FAMOUS battle that took place in Winnington is being commemorated 350 years on.

The Battle of Winnington Bridge took place on August 19, 1659 and is considered to have been the final battle of the English Civil War.

After the death of Oliver Cromwell in September 1658, his son Richard failed to hold together the Protectorate and Parliament was in conflict with the Army.

A rebellion was planned for August 1, 1659, but many of the various regional groups were not sufficiently well organised and some had been infiltrated by spies.

But Sir George Booth, who was to command the regional revolt, received his advice too late.

His army of 5,000 had already taken Cheshire before he was informed of the cancelled plan, but he carried on regardless.

A plaque detailing the day’s events is erected on the side of Winnington Bridge as a reminder of the battle.

Denis Cain of Highbank Road, Greenbank, contacted the Guardian detailing the events from the day.

He said: “Sir George Booth of Dunham, a Royalist supporter in a Northern ‘rising’ was retreating with his troops, having failed in an attack on a well stocked and defended Chester Castle which also commanded the city walls with cannon.

“He had some battle experienced men but a major part of his force was conscripted.

“John Lambert, said to be Cromwell’s cleverest commander, was heading northwards with reinforcements of well trained men.

“They had passed through Nantwich and camped at Weaverham on August 18.

“The paths of the armies had crossed and Booth arrived in Northwich.

“The next day, August 19, Booth re-crossed the Weaver to confront Lambert and there was a brief skirmish at Hartford Green, but Booth had to retreat across Moss Farm to a stronger position of a long, narrow river bridge backed by a steep slope at Winnington but it counted for little.”

Sir George Booth escaped, but a week later a Buckinghamshire inn-keeper became suspicious of a Mistress Dorothy, who was accompanied by a large escort of males.

Denis added: “She was reported to the constables as striding like a man and wore large square toed shoes. Next day, more suitably attired, Sir George was on his way to London Tower.

“He remained there until February 1660 and with other leaders was released, without ever having been brought to trial.”

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