Chester

Chester Known to the Romans as Deva, was founded in the 70s as a legionary fortress, originally for legio II Adiutrix. From the 80s it became the long-term base of legio XX Valeria Victrix. In the later Roman period the intensity of occupation declined, though was probably still military. After the Norman invasion of 1066, William marched north to subdue the rebellious native population, particularly the Welsh; the castle was commenced and a hereditary earldom created, though this title reverted to the crown in 1237. Although Chester prospered as an administrative centre, the port was no longer viable by 1600 because of silting.

Granted a royal charter in 1506, Chester was severely affected by the Civil War since city and county supported opposing factions. By mid-18th cent., it had recovered into quiet country-town prosperity. The continuous, first-floor arcades of the medieval rows are unique, but many of the black-and-white half-timbered restorations are Victorian.

A Dictionary of British History. Ed. John Cannon. Oxford University Press, 2001.