Monument record 1109/3 - Site of Civil War skirmish

Civil War skirmish in Sandbach in 1651. At the Battle of Worcester on 3rd September 1651, the Scots who had been helping to regain the throne for Charles II were defeated by Cromwell. They were returning to Scotland & one party was attacked by the inhabitants of Sandbach as it passed through the town. The troops were in such an exhausted state that the townsfolk had an easy victory, killing or taking prisoner all of the party (1). Tradition states that the skirmish took place in an open space NW of the church, still called the Scotch Commons & says that the dead were buried at the N side of the churchyard (2).

<1> Earwaker J P, 1890, History of the Ancient Parish of Sandbach, Earwaker 1890 /15 (Book). SCH1431.

<2> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, 3/104 (Y) (Book). SCH1389.