Chester in Cheshire West and Chester, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

King Charles Tower

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 12, 2024

1. King Charles Tower Marker

Inscription. This historic lookout and meeting place is one of the most iconic towers on the City Walls.

The King Charles Tower was once a medieval watch-tower, but by the 17th century had fallen into disrepair. Not enough 'murage' tax was being raised for its upkeep, or to maintain that of the City Walls. To solve the problem the city guilds were invited to lease the principal towers as meeting-houses and undertake to keep them in good repair. This tower became known as the Phoenix Tower after the emblem of the Painters' Company, which met here. You can still see a stone phoenix from 1613 above the door to your left.

A Royalist church window
It is reputed that King Charles witnessed the defeat of his Royalist forces at the Battle of Rowton Moor from this tower in 1645. This colour print shows a Royalist church window in nearby Farndon, celebrating the "Cheshire gentleman who attended King Charles at the Siege of Chester."

An artist's impression of a guild meeting at the Phoenix Tower
This illustration shows a Painter' Company meeting in 1620, on hte Festival of St Luke, the patron saint of painters, when the tower would have been decorated with rushes and flowers.

The King Charles Tower in the early 19th century
This early 19th century print shows the King Charles Tower when the City Walls had become a popular promenade.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical date for this entry is September 24, 1645.

Location. 53° 11.646′ N, 2° 53.425′ W. Marker is in Chester, England, in Cheshire West and Chester. It can be reached from George Street. The marker is at the foot of the stairwell on the wall that leads up into the tower. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20A George St, Chester, England CH1 2JG, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in North West England.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pied Bull (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Red Lion (about 210 meters away); North Gate Gaol & the Bridge of Sighs (about 210 meters away); Chester Cathedral (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); The Rows (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); East Gate (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Parker's Buildings (approx. half a kilometer away); The Roman Amphitheatre (approx. 0.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chester.

King Charles Tower at night, in colored lights image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 12, 2024

2. King Charles Tower at night, in colored lights

King Charles’ Tower image. Click for full size.

circa 1905

3. King Charles’ Tower

Not noted on the marker, but legible here is another marker of sorts, the inscription above the doorway (and below the phoenix) reading, “King Charles stood on this tower Sept. 24th, 1645 & saw his Army defeated on Rowton Moor.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 251 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 12, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on May 13, 2024. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.