I.

Introduction

Chester, city, administrative centre of Cheshire, north-western England, on the River Dee. It is known for its strong historical connections and its picturesque streets. It is a thriving retail and business centre for the region. Population 118,207 (2001).

II.

Economy

During the Middle Ages, the city was an important port, but the River Dee gradually silted up in the 15th and 16th centuries, and trade was diverted to Liverpool. Today, tourism plays a major role in the economy, and other industries include light engineering, aircraft components manufacturing, and food processing.

III.

Places of Interest

Situated on a rocky sandstone height, the town is encircled by Roman and medieval walls, pierced by four main gates. They form a circuit of about 3 km (2 mi); Roman work can mainly be seen on the northern and eastern sides. Other Roman remains include a large 1st-century amphitheatre. The two main streets of Chester cross at right angles; they were cut out of the underlying rock by the Romans and lie below the level of the houses. Chester Cathedral (14th century) is a massive, irregular structure of red sandstone that incorporates remnants of an 11th-century Benedictine abbey. It was founded on a site that had been dedicated to St Werburgh in c. 700. After the dissolution of the monasteries it became a cathedral of the new diocese of Chester. Most of the sandstone building dates from the 14th century, though on the northern side Norman features were incorporated. The city also has many fine examples of half-timbered houses, some of which are medieval and others Jacobean or Victorian. Each summer a music festival is held and throughout the year the city acts as a cultural focus for the surrounding area.

IV.

History

The town was founded about ad 48 by the Romans, who named it Deva (or Castra Devana) and made it the headquarters of the 20th Legion. After the Romans left in the late 4th century, the town was occupied successively by the Welsh, the Saxons, and the Danes. The kings of Mercia used it as a fortress in the 10th century and it was the last city to be captured in 1070 by William the Conqueror. The city was granted its first charter in 1175 and it was incorporated in 1506. It claims to be the earliest-created sheriffdom in the country (c. 1120).

Chester was an important military centre during the reigns of Edward I and Elizabeth I: it was used as a military base during Edward's campaigns against the Welsh, and later by Elizabeth during the campaign against Ireland commanded by the Earl of Essex. During the Civil War, Chester supported the king and was besieged from 1643 to 1646, when it fell to Parliamentary forces who abolished the cathedral and bishopric in the city. These were re-established with the restoration of Charles II in 1660.

Chester underwent major building and construction works in the following century. In 1704 the city walls were partly restructured into promenades; medieval gates were demolished and rebuilt to reflect contemporary design and taste. The Chester-Nantwich canal was completed in 1779, and the castle was renovated between 1788 and 1818. The 18th century also saw development of printing industry, with the Chester Chronicle established in 1775.

The growing importance of Chester in the 19th century was reflected in the expansion of transportation links, with first railway lines, to Birkenhead and Crewe, opening in 1840; Chester General railway station completed in 1848; and the Northgate station built in 1875. Electric tramways were introduced in 1903, and the suspension bridge across the Dee opened in 1903.

In 1974 a new city council was established following local government reorganization. The headquarters of the Cheshire Constabulary is located in Chester and there is a Crown Court. In 1992 the mayor was granted the title of Lord Mayor.