History of Wigan   (Help with ancient and recent history.)

Parliamentarians attack Wigan
The Parliamentarians under the command of Colonel Holland and
Lieutenant-Colonel Rosworm, decided to attack Derby’s headquarters in
Wigan on 1st April 1643. They had 2,000 men, over 200 men on horse, 8
cannons and plenty of ammunition. In less than an hour the
Parliamentarians had broken the defence and entered the town.
86 Royalist Musketeers ran into Market Place, Wigan, then climbed up to
the top of Wigan Parish church tower. From this vantage point the
musketeers continually fired at the Parliamentarians and killed more
Parliamentarians than in the first part of the attack. On hearing that
Royalist reinforcements were on their way, Colonel Holland gathered up
his men to retreat. Rosworm didn’t want to retreat and persuaded
Holland to stay until the parish church was captured.
Rosworm set up his cannons on a hill overlooking Wigan Parish church
and threatened to blow up the church if the defenders didn’t give
themselves up. The 86 Royalists surrendered and Colonel Holland
retreated with his men, leaving Rosworm with only a few men and so
Lt.Colonel Rosworm jumped on his horse and ran.
The places where Rosworm set up his cannons were afterwards called
Longshoot and Lower Longshoot in Scholes.