The monument

About a mile from the centre of Wigan is 'The Monument' which commemorates the spot where Sir Thomas Tyldesley a supporter of King Charles the first was slain in the Battle of Wigan Lane on the 25th of August 1651. Tyldesley was a supporter of Lord Derby whose men were approaching Wigan from the north on their way to join the King at Worcester. Superior Roundhead forces, under the command of Colonel Robert Lilburne, were waiting for them in woodlands above the River Douglas.
The battle was short and brutal. In about two hours Lord Derby was heavily defeated. Half of his forces were killed and a further third captured. Notable among the dead were Sir Thomas Tyldesley and Lord Widdrington, a Northumbrian soldier. Lord Derby himself was wounded but managed to find refuge in Wigan.
This was the last Civil War battle to be fought in Lancashire. It marked the beginning of the end of Lord Derby's career. He eventually met with the king at Worcester but was subsequently captured and executed. The site of the Battle of Wigan Lane is now called "Bloody Mountains". Near it, is "Widdrington Road", named after the fallen Northumbrian.
Wigan was a loyalist stronghold and suffered as a result. Cromwell, himself said this about the place
"...the townspeople of Wigan, a great and poor town...."
Some might say not much has changed, Wigan today has one of the highest numbers of 16-18 year old NEETS, not in Education, Employment, Training schemes.
Not the best blip I've managed as this is on a main road with houses all around, but does show off the glorious blue sky at lunch time which had changed to threatening black clouds by the time I left work. A nice bit of local history 'though and them stones have been there for a goodly while. The surrounding railings and pillar in the foreground being rather more recent.