Clare Pye and the Civil War in Cheshire

It's always a treat to hear a talk from someone who both knows their subject and is excited about it. So it was when Clare Pye came to talk to us on 28th November. Clare stressed the importance of Cheshire in the Civil War. Who ever held Cheshire controlled the movement of armies down the West side of England and, via Chester, troops from Ireland. Clare described the military encounters in Cheshire from the early battle in Middlewich, the role of Beeston Castle, the decisive battle at Nantwich, the siege of Chester and the King's defeat at Rowton Moor. This military perspective was enhanced by stories of the people involved, of the military commanders, of the great families who had some choice in the side they supported, and of the ordinary folk who had little say.