Monument record 12502/8 - Parliamentary Siegeworks - Bridge of Boats

<1> Ward, S. W., 1987, Excavations at Chester, the Civil War Siege Works, 1642-6 (Excavation & survey reports), p.12 (Monograph). SCH1189.

A bridge of boats was constructed by the Parliamentarians across the River Dee from the bottom of Dee Lane outside the Bars, to the Earls Eye, to enable troops to be transferred quickly in the event of attack on either side of river. South of the River Dee, the Royalist mount (or fort) at Handbridge (CHER 12501/19) prevented the Parliamentarians from creating a blockade around the Dee Bridge. This bridge of boats was in response, and improved their defences on the Welsh side. It was protected by the Lower and Higher Mounts (CHER 12502/9 and CHER 12502/10 respectively).

<2> Morris. R. (Canon), 1923, The Siege of Chester during the Civil War 1643-45., p.131 (Article in Journal). SCH5689.

The besiegers formed a bridge of boats and cart bottoms at the lane end beneath Mr Walleyes house.

<3> Harrison, S, 1984, Loyal Chester, A Brief History of Chester in the Civil War Period (Book). SCH5285.

<4> Dore R N, 1966, The Civil Wars in Cheshire, p.54-55 (Book). SCH3108.

To stop successful sallies over the Dee Bridge and through the Royal Mount and the series of defences in front of Handbridge, a bridge of boats was constructed from Dee Lane at the eastern end of the suburbs, protected by a half moon mount and a set of trenches dug to seal off Handbridge.

<5> Welsh, T, 2015, The Bridge of Boats (Unpublished Report). SCH7846.

Three contemporary documentary sources seem to indicate that the Bridge of Boats was located in the vicinity of the Queen's Park Suspension Bridge and the Chester Rowing Club. This interpretation is supported by the much closer relationship between the bridge and the Parliamentary siege works and may have implications for the postulated location of Lower Mount (CHER 12502/9).