More Like Lions than Men - Sir William Brereton and the Cheshire Army of Parliament, 1642-46

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Based on primary archival research (much of which remains unpublished), supported by fieldtrips to battlefields and castles, More Like Lions than Men represents the first focused and sustained study of the recruitment, organisation, payment, equipping, leadership and war service of the forces raised and maintained in the service of parliament in Cheshire between 1642 and 1646. The Cheshire army of parliament was commanded by the devout, energetic and strategically astute Sir William Brereton, MP for the county. 33 b/w photos/ills, 3 maps, 16pp color plates

As a important 'regional' force it undertook the extended war aims and strategy of the parliament in Cheshire (and in particular, its primary objective, the reduction and capture of the royalist stronghold of Chester). Led and trained by a number of officers of experience and ability (including Michael Jones, Robert Venables, and some professional soldiers, such as James Lothian), it often operated in conjunction with other forces and under various regional commands throughout the northwest, as well as the Midland counties, North Wales, Lancashire and Yorkshire, wherein its troops and companies served together or were 'brigaded' with others. These were bolstered in 1644 by the absorption of high quality, veteran troops of Charles I's army in Ireland, who had been captured at Nantwich and Liverpool.

Cheshire and the northwest were no backwaters during the first civil war, and on occasion Brereton's forces became embroiled in events of a more national complexion, such as the landing of the royalist army from Ireland in late 1643, the advance of Prince Rupert through the Welsh Marches, Cheshire and Lancashire during the summer of 1644, and the arrival of Charles I in a temporary relief of Chester 1645.Like other parliamentarian forces, the Cheshire troops were noted for their religious fervour, partly in that they were raised, shaped, motivated and led by radical independent and Presbyterian officers, as well as godly ministers. Yet despite its effectiveness and military experience, parts of the army suffered from pay arrears and subsequent mutinies, as well as organisational problems that stretched resources, and at points created breakdowns in discipline and moral. Moreover, Sir William Brereton's authority as commander-in-chief in Cheshire came under threat in 1645 in the form of divergent war aims and rivalries among subordinates.