the King, and became a sort of central garrison for the royal party in Lancashire. Throughout the whole period of the civil wars it retained its character of "the faithful and loyal town of Wigan." Here the Earl of Derby threw up strong intrenchments, and formed a camp in the parson's meadow, and on the banks of the Douglas, where a zig-zag mound, a broad ditch and several trenches are still visible. It was taken, however, by the parliamentary army early in the year 1643, after a desperate battle which was well contested on both sides. "The number of prisoners taken on this occasion by the major-general, Sir John Seaton, amounted to about 800 men, with a thousand stand of arms, and £2000 in treasure." The Earl of Derby, who had withdrawn from Wigan at the close of the battle, soon after repossessed himself of the town; but it was again attacked in the month of March, by Col. Ashton at the head of 2000 horse and foot. The struggle on this occasion was less resolute than before, the principal part of the garrison having withdrawn to Lathom house; but a body of sharpshooters retired to the church steeple, and kept up an incessant fire, by which more of the assailants were killed than had fallen in taking the town. On the threat of Colonel Roseworm, to blow up the church if the troops in the steeple did not desist from firing, they were obliged to surrender, and their whole number, amounting to eighty-six, became prisoners. Finding that the inhabitants were warmly attached to the royal cause, Colonel Ashton ordered the outworks and the foundations of the town to be demolished, and the gates and posts placed in aid of the works at the entrances to Standish-gate, Wall-gate, Hall-gate, and Mill-gate, were pulled up and destroyed.[1]
On 28th September, 1643, the House of Lords agreed to the following ordinance, which was brought up to them from the House of Commons for their concurrence,[2] for making the
