North
Chester
In the twelfth century
Chester stands on the Dee inside the walls of the Roman fortress of Deva. After the Conquest it becomes the seat of the powerful earls of Chester, and its castle, built after 1070, is a base for campaigns into Wales and for sailings to Ireland. In 1185 Prince John sails from here with some two hundred followers. The Benedictine abbey of St Werburgh, refounded in 1092, dominates the north of the city, and in the 1190s its monk Lucian writes a book in praise of Chester. Ships bring wine from Aquitaine, Spain and Germany into the harbour below the walls, and marten skins, other furs and grain come in from Ireland. The Midsummer fair, begun under Earl Hugh I and reorganised by Earl Ranulf I in the 1120s, draws traders from far afield.
Landmark: St Werburgh's Benedictine abbey church (Norman, refounded 1092), within the Roman walls.
Known for
- Irish trade (furs, especially marten skins, and grain)
- Wine imports from Aquitaine, Spain and Germany
- Midsummer fair trade
- Supplying Welsh and Irish expeditions
Caveats (confidence: high)
The present cathedral (the former abbey church) is mostly a later Gothic rebuilding; in the 12th century the church was Norman. Henry II's charter confirming the citizens' trading rights is undated within his reign (1154–89). Much of the evidence for trade goods comes from Lucian's praise-poem, which is written to flatter the city.
Sources: british-history.ac.uk · british-history.ac.uk · medievalchester.ac.uk
Playtest: in development, may be reset
In the playtest world now
What the test world shows at Chester, as of Year 12, winter, month 10, day 26. About the playtest
Last season's market
Autumn, year 12. Each good's price at the close of last season, against its usual price in this town: dear, usual or cheap.
- Usual
- Pick, Ox cart, Pit saw, Adze, Axe, Iron hammer, Awl, Chisel