Chester City Walls
Chester City Walls
The old city walls of Chester are packed with history and incorporate elements of the walls and towers of the ancient Roman fortress of Deva. The earliest defences were Flavian and date back to the late 1st Century, of which parts of the base of the earth rampart survive beneath the stone walls.
Roman masonry of purple-grey Bunter sandstone on the outer face of the north and east walls and the foundation of the south-east tower of the legionary fortress are probably date to the time of Hadrian in the early 2nd Century but were probably altered and repaired up to 4th Century and the end of Roman occupation.
The medieval walls of softer red sandstone, incorporate masonry of the north and east faces of the Roman walls, but are in part set back from the face and built upon the Roman turf rampart. The medieval walls of Chester were extended in the late 11th Century and early 12th Century by the Norman Earls of Chester, westward and southward to their present position, possibly on a line set out by Aethelfled in 907 when she had refortified the burh. The walls were later strengthened in 1160-61.
The medieval towers, Bonewaldesthorne’s Tower and the Water Tower, commanding the site of the medieval port date to around 1249 and 1322-6 respectively while Thimbleby’s Tower is remains undated.
Created: 16 December 2020 Edited: 29 November 2023
Chester City Walls
Local History around Chester City Walls
There are some historic monuments around including:
Motte and associated earthworks east of Old RectoryAldford motte and bailey and shell keep castleRoman quarry including Edgar's Cave and the rock-cut figure of Minerva on Edgar's Field, 150m south west of Dee BridgeRoman camp at Upton, 400m east of the water tower north of Long LaneThe Little Abbey Gateway, Northgate StreetMoated site 180m W of Fir Tree FarmStanding cross in St Mary's churchyardChapel at Chapel House Farm 200m west of Wervin Old HallMoated site and fishpond S of Huntington HallDee BridgeMoated site north-west of Mill Hill House FarmBretton Hall Moated Site Heronbridge Roman siteHuntington Hall moated siteDodleston Hall moated siteRoman camp on Fox Covert Lane 650m north west of Picton GorseMoated site at Upton Grange, UptonRoman camp at Upton Heath, beside the water tower north of Long LaneDodleston motte and bailey castleRoman camp 300m west of Upton Grange FarmBruera moated site and adjacent field systemBelgrave moated site and medieval gardenAbbey Green Roman siteRoman camp 50m south of Elm BankPart of a Roman camp at Hoole 200m south of Hoole HallMoated site of Lea Hall, 80m east of Leahall FarmSt John's Church (ruined portions)Pulford motte and bailey castleStanding cross in St Lawrence's churchyard, StoakThe walls, towers, gates and posterns of the City of ChesterRoman amphitheatre (southern part)St Nicholas' ChapelRoman camp at Upton, 350m north east of the water tower north of Long LaneChester Castle (part).
