King James I . 1603 - 1625
1603 This and the following year great numbers died from the plague , The Courts were held at Tarvin . The Cathedral Bells new cast
1604 James I gave a confirmation of the charter , which seems merely complimentary .

1623 Friday 17th October . John Brereton , Mayor .
It was reported in a petition that several people who were not members of the Company of tailors exercised this trade in the City in the liberties of the Abbey to the prejudice of the company . It was ordered that the Dean and Prebends should be spoken to and that if they would not put a stop to it , then the Mayor and his brethren would do so by law .
It was reported that several shopkeepers near the Cross were greatly harmed by people who sold roots , cabbages and other similar goods there and so it was decided to move these people and set out another more convenient place for them before the next Assembly .
( C. C. C. Minutes )

1625 - 1649 King Charles I had substantial proof of the loyalty of Chester , he had frequent correspondence with the mayor but does not appear to have made any alteration in the local government .

Tuesday 29th October 1633 .
Thomas Knee and Richard Roberts ( Sheriffs' Officers ) were ordered to bring in their accounts for the tolls of the fairs and other tolls for the past year to the auditors at the pentice this day week . They were to be suspended from taking any more tolls until the accounts were presented and a further order made by the assembly . The Sheriffs were to appoint two men , or as many as they thought fit , to collect tolls . They were to account for them to the Sheriffs and the Sheriffs to the city . ( C. C. C. Minutes )


Friday 23rd October
1640. Thomas Aldersey Mayor .
The swine market was to be removed from Eastgate Street to the end of Pepper Street and Fleshmongers lane and along the walls there . ( C. C. C. Minutes )

1642-1646 The Civil war between Charles I . and the Parliamentarians began in 1662 due to the siege and the terrible plague of 1647 it lasted until 1649. .
Many periodical visitations occurred after Saxon times - including the Black Death Chester was in a poor state .

1648 The fortifications of Chester were put in a state of complete repair .
Oliver Cromwell . 1653 - 1658 did grant to the city the hospital of St. John the Baptist this charter is in English is highly ornate and with a half length picture of the protector . The parliament on September 17th 1659 passed a vote to dissolve the corporation , this however in the February following was declared null and void .

Aug. 1659, Sir George Booth and Sir Thomas Middleton

surprised and took it, but were defeated near Nantwich by General Lambert, who then advanced upon and recaptured Chester;

King Charles II . 1660 - 1685 confirmed the charter of Henry VII . The same King did seize the franchise of their being the corporation of Chester
* 23rd March 1676 / 77
Also at the same Assembly it is ordered that a horse market shall be kept every Saturday in the Forgate St. near unto the Barrs in this City of Chester
* 27th April 1677
Also in the same Assembly it was ordered that the Cole market shall be kept between the two churches and the castle lane end on both sides the street
* 7th September 1677
Also at the same assembly this house being credily informed that the great endeavors have been and are used for the procuring a patent from his majesty for the setting up a market and fairs at Nesson near unto this city , which if once is affected would tend to the subversion of the trade of this city and consequently to the great impoverishment there of to prevent or redress which it is unanimously concluded and agreed upon by this assembly that an humble supplication be made unto the Kings Majesty to prevent the said intended Patent if not already passed and if so then to recall the same

1685 - 1688 King James II . In pursuance of the powers of removing corporate officers , according to the above charter , did by order of council made at the court of Windsor remove all or nearly all the members of the corporation . James II . was soon after to restore the corporation to their ancient charters , liberties , rights and franchise

1689 - 1702 William & Mary In their 11th and 12th years by an act of parliament which was to enable the Mayor and Citizens to recover and preserve the navigation of the Dee . 1690 on his way to reduce Ireland King William visited Chester .

1694 A mint was this year set up in Chester .

The Exchange 1698 ( forerunner of The Town Hall ) is situated in the Market - place , on the west side of Northgate Street . It was commenced in 1695 and took three years to build , at an expense of £1000 , towards which Roger Whitley , then Mayor , contributed largely It is a noble brick building , ornamented with stone work , supported by stone pillars on the ground floor , through which is a spacious thouroughfare from south to north . The ground floor of the Exchange originally consisted of four rows of pillars , having the intervals entirely open . But in 1756 concern due to the safety of these pillars and their strength to sustain the floor above . A range of shops on the west side and a shop at the south east side were erected

Gradually trade revived the markets and fairs again regained their former importance so that by the end of the 17th century the city was the major retailing centre of Cheshire and North Wales . The weekly markets increasingly dealt with luxury goods as well as local produce , meat and poultry were held in Northgate Street ; poultry , cheese and butter markets in Bridge Street ; flax and linen markets in Eastgate Row North until the early 18th Century

* 16th August 1705
Also at the same Assembly it is ordered that the place for market for public selling of fruit Herb's and roots be henceforth kept only in the Northgate St. of this City ... and in no other place within this City and that the Mayor be desired to take effectual care for the punishment of all such as presume do set up stalls or standings for selling of fruit Herb's or roots in any place of this City

King James I. on his journey into Scotland in 1617 passed through Chester, and received from the mayor the city sword, which, being re-delivered to him, was borne by the mayor on horseback before the king.

On the breaking out of the Civil War, the city was in 1642 the head quarters of the Royalists in this locality; and in 1645, under the governorship of John, 1st Lord Byron, and a distinguished cavalier, withstood, under great privations, the attacks of Sir William Brereton; the king thereupon came to its relief (22 Sept. 1645), but the royal forces being defeated on Rowton Heath, 2 miles from the city, on the 24th, the king, after remaining one night, retired to Denbigh. and the place was eventually surrendered 3 Feb. 1646.

1687 James II visited the city

1668, on the rebellion of was seized by Lords Molyneui and Aston in the royal interest, but the speedy abdication of James rendered their efforts useless: under

William III Chester was appointed one of six places for the assay of gold and silver .

1745, Chester was fortified and garrisoned against the The Jacobite rising