Chester

Chester was an important Roman centre. After the Romans left rulership of the town was contested between the Welsh of Powys, the Saxons of Mercia and the Vikings.

Following the battle of Buttington in 893 the Danish raiders from East Anglia briefly occupied Chester.

In 900 the relics of St Werburgh, daughter of Wulfhere the first Christian king of Mercia, were brought to Chester. The move took place as the original burial place Hanbury in Staffordshire had been attacked by the Danes. In 907 the relics were laid to rest in the church of St John which eventually became the cathedral.

In 907 Chester was established as a Burh by Aethelflaed. The defences reused the walls of the Roman fortress on the northern and eastern sides.

Shortly after his coronation at Bath King Edgar travelled to Chester. While here he received the submission of 8 kings, who rode him up the River Dee while he held the rudder. We know that two of these kings were Hywel ap Idwal and Maccus the king of Man.

In the period 903 to 911 (exact date unknown) Chester was the subject of a lengthy seige. A Norse and Danish army under Ingimund decided to take Chester.

In the 10th century Chester prospered as its location allowed it to be a centre for trade between the Vikings scattered around the Irish Sea and the Saxons. Chester had a mint at this time though the dies for striking the coins were still being cut at York in the mid 10th century.