Morgan's Mount

Summary

Morgan's Mount is a structure extending from the north side of the city walls of Chester, in Cheshire, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.[1]

Morgan's Mount
Chester city walls and Morgan's Mount
LocationChester, Cheshire, England
Coordinates53°11′36″N 2°53′45″W / 53.19328°N 2.89588°W / 53.19328; -2.89588
OS grid referenceSJ 402 666
Built1645
Listed Building – Grade I
Designated28 July 1955
Reference no.1376134
Morgan's Mount is located in Cheshire
Morgan's Mount
Location in Cheshire

History edit

It was constructed in 1645 during the siege of Chester in the Civil War as an observation platform and gun emplacement.[1][2] After the Battle of Rowton Heath in September of that year, a gun on the Mount was destroyed by Parliamentary forces.[3] It was originally named the Raised Square Platform, and is said to have been named later after the Royalist Captain William Morgan, or his son, Edward.[1]

Architecture edit

 
Information board of Morgan's Mount

The Mount is constructed in red sandstone coursed rubble, and is rectangular in shape. It contains a chamber at the level of the walkway, with barred openings to the west and the north. Two flights of five steps lead up to the roof, which has a stone parapet surmounted by an iron railing. One of the steps has a reused Victorian gravestone. At the northeast corner of the roof is an L-shaped stone bench. Providing good views of the welsh hills beyond.[1]

 
A painting of what Morgan's view was like

Sculpture edit

At the base of the tower is a life size sculpture representing the civil war cannon destroyed.

See also edit

References edit

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d Historic England, "Morgans Mount, Chester (1376134)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 July 2012
  2. ^ Ward 2009, p. 68.
  3. ^ Ward 2009, p. 70.

Sources

  • Ward, Simon (2009), Chester: A History, Chichester: Phillimore, ISBN 978-1-86077-499-7