Second Battle of Middlewich

The Second Battle of Middlewich took place on the 26 December 1643. In the battle around 200 Parliamentarians were killed, along with a number of Royalists under the command of Lord Byron.

According to Ormerod's history of Cheshire:

"December 2nd, 1643. Accordingly this reinforcement [from Chester] came to Hawarden the next day, and a brisk attack being made upon the castle the day following, the besieged hung out a white flag, and December 4th, 1643, capitulated; and early next morning the castle was surrendered to sir Michael Ernley, on condition to march out with half arms, and two pairs of colours, one flying, and the other furled, and to be safely convoyed either to Wem or Nantwich. "After this success the party from Chester marched back to that city, without the loss of one man. But the royalists, being further reinforced by some regiments from Ireland, marched into Cheshire, under the command of sir John, lately created lord Byron, and took Beeston-castle; for which the parliament governor [Captain Thomas Steele] there was soon after executed for cowardice. "Next they engaged sir William Brereton and colonel Ashton at Middlewich, and cut off near two hundred of their men, which occasioned Northwich to be quitted to them, and likewise Crew-house [perhaps modern-day Crewe], after a stout resistance, was forced to surrender; as also Doddington house and Acton-church, without much opposition."