Home › C › Chester (Ancient and episcopal city)

Chester (Ancient and episcopal city)

an ancient and episcopal city, municipal and parliamentary borough, the capital of Cheshire, England, on the Dee, 16 miles S. E. of Liverpool. The two main streets cross each other at right angles, and were cut out of the rock by the Romans 4 to 10 feet below the level of the houses. The houses in these streets were curiously arranged; the front parts of their second stories, as far back as 16 feet, form a continuous paved promenade or covered gallery, open in front, where there are pillars and steps up from the street below, with private houses above, inferior shops and warehouses below, and the chief shops of the town within. St.

John's Church, now partially in ruins, is supposed to have been founded by Ethel red in 698. There are a famous cathedral and many other ancient buildings, making Chester one of the most picturesque towns in England. Modern improvements, however, have been made in every respect. The chief trade of the town is in cheese. There are numerous industrial establishments and good railroad connections. The title Earl of Chester was bestowed by Henry III. on his eldest son and has since then been held by each Prince of Wales. Pop. about 40,000.