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Chester is the county town of Cheshire in the north-west of England, close to the border with Wales. It is one of the best-preserved walled cities in the country. It is situated north of the River Dee. It is the main settlement in the City of Chester local government district.
Chester is an old city dating back approximately 2000 years to Roman times (when parts of the City wall date from) when it was known as Deva or Castra Devana. They built it as a fortress for LEGIO XX VALERIA VICTRIX, the 20th Legion, safe in the loop of the River Dee and used it as a port and defence from the Welsh Celts. It was then the principal town of England, with many relics remaining today, including the weir on the river to keep water levels high and stop ships going too far, the 'cross', where the four main streets intersect, as well as remains of a strong room and hypocaust system underneath shops and, controversially, half of its original amphitheatre, with the other half built over.
After the fall of the Roman Empire three hundred years later, the Saxons extended and strengthened the walls to protect the city against the Danes.
After the 1066Events January 6 Harold II is crowned King of England the day after Edward the Confessor dies. Tostig Godwinson and Harald Hardraada of Norway invade England. September 25 Harold II defeats Tostig and Harold Hardraada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, kil Norman ConquestBayeux Tapestry depicting events leading to the Battle of Hastings The Norman Conquest was the conquest of England by William the Conqueror ( Duke of Normandy), in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings and the subsequent Norman control of England. It is an impor, Chester CastleChester Castle was built in 1069 by William the Conqueror in Chester, Cheshire. It was besieged during the English Civil War. Castles in England English Heritage. was built as another defence from the Celts. Along with this, the Normans built Chester Cathedral which, before Henry VIII, was dedicated to Saint Werburgh, and still stands in the city centre today. Chester was at this time the largest port in Northern England, with the trade that this created bringing affluence to the city. This continued until the River Dee silted up, after which trade was diverted to the relatively young town of LiverpoolFor alternate uses of "Liverpool" see Liverpool (disambiguation Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside in north west England, on the north side of the Mersey estuary. Liverpool is governed by Liverpool City Council, one of five council. The silting of the River Dee created land which is now Chester's racecourse (known as the Roodee ), on which a stone cross, once used as a water level marker, still stands.
Chester continued to deal with its loss of trade throughout the centuries, and in the 1640Events December 1 Portugal regains its independence from Spain and John IV of Portugal becomes king. Spain does not recognize the indepedence before 1668 Charles I summons and rapidly dismisses the Short Parliament in an attempt to fund the second of thes English Civil WarThe English Civil War is the period of conflict in the kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland between 1639 and 1651, and also refers specifically to the two wars ( 1642 1645 and 1648 1649) between the Royalist supporters of Charles I of England and the the Battle of Rowton Moor occurred in nearby meadows, where the Parliamentary Forces crushed the Royalist loyal Cavaliers. This battle was watched by King Charles I from Chester's Water Tower on the City Walls.