Following the suppression of Penruddock's Uprising in March 1655, increased security measures and the network of spies and agents co-ordinated by John Thurloe ensured that Royalist conspirators were unable to pose any serious threat to the Protectorate. During the uncertainty that followed the resignation of Richard Cromwell in 1659, however, a new plot to bring about the restoration of the monarchy was formulated. In March 1659, Charles II issued commissions to "The Trust", a six-member group empowered to organise a Royalist uprising in England to bring about the Restoration.
The most energetic member of the Trust was John Mordaunt, who was created Viscount Mordaunt in March 1659 as an indication of Charles' favour towards him. The other members were drawn from the Sealed Knot. As in 1655, they were wary of acting hastily against the government. Preparations for the uprising proceeded slowly and were greeted cautiously by English Royalists. Charles also found support among disaffected Presbyterians who demanded the reinstatement of the MPs excluded from Parliament at Pride's Purge in 1648 and who hoped that Charles would bring about a religious settlement favourable to their interests.
As with Penruddock's Uprising, a series of insurrections was planned to take place simultaneously in various parts of the country. The appointed date was 1 August 1659, but Sir Richard Willys, a member of the Sealed Knot, had betrayed details of the conspiracy to the government leading to the arrest of a number of prominent Royalists and Presbyterians. The Council of State ordered the mobilisation of the militia and the reinforcement of strategic garrisons. A squadron of warships under Vice-Admiral Lawson put to sea to guard the Channel against the possibility of attack from the Continent.
On the appointed day, the only partially successful uprising occurred in Lancashire, Cheshire, and North Wales under the overall command of Sir George Booth who mustered 500 supporters at Warrington in Lancashire on 1 August and advanced to a rendezvous with Cheshire Royalists at Rowton Heath near Chester. The following day, Booth's rebels occupied the city of Chester. Ignoring Chester Castle, which remained in the hands of government troops who refused to surrender, Booth issued a series of proclamations claiming that the insurgents had taken arms to defend the freedom of Parliament; no explicit reference was made to King Charles. Leaving forces to blockade Chester Castle, Booth set off for Manchester with around 4,000 men, intending to make his way to York which, it was supposed, would also surrender to him. Colonel Egerton took a party from Chester to join Sir Thomas Myddleton at Chirk Castle in Denbighshire. Myddleton and Egerton advanced to Wrexham where they declared for the King. Colonel Gilbert Ireland also declared for the King at Liverpool.
On 5 August, the Council of State issued a commission to Colonel John Lambert to gather forces to suppress the rebellion. Lambert marched north and arrived at Nantwich in Cheshire on 15 August where he mustered a small army of around 1,200 horse and 3,000 foot. Meanwhile, Booth realised that the general insurrection had failed and turned back toward Chester. Lambert also set out for Chester from Nantwich on 18 August, but changed direction when he learned that Booth's forces were near Northwich. Lambert intercepted the insurgents on 19 August at Winnington Bridge which crosses the River Weaver near Northwich. The Royalists held the bridge and the high ground behind it to the north. Lambert sent Colonel Hewson's infantry regiment to drive back the defenders and secure the bridge. Lambert's cavalry then advanced across the river. A short skirmish ensued. Booth's forces were no match for Lambert's veteran cavalry and the Royalist army was soon scattered in all directions. Lambert ordered his cavalry not to pursue the fleeing Royalists in order to prevent a massacre. Losses were light, with only one of Lambert's men killed and about thirty Royalists.
Chester surrendered to Lambert without resistance on 21 August; Chirk Castle and Liverpool surrendered to detachments from Lambert's army soon after. Sir George Booth fled the scene of his defeat and disguised himself as a woman. He intended to make his way to London then escape to the Continent but an innkeeper at Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire became suspicious. The inn was surrounded and Booth was arrested, still dressed as a woman. His headlong flight from the battle and the farcical circumstances of his arrest made him the object of great mirth and ridicule in London. Although imprisoned in the Tower, he was never brought to trial and escaped all punishment.
References:
Godfrey Davies, The Restoration of Charles II, 1658-60, 1955
Sean Kelsey, George Booth, 1st Baron Delamere, Oxford DNB 2004
Victor Stater, John, 1st Viscount Mordaunt of Avalon, Oxford DNB 2004