John Rosworm

John Rosworm or Rosworme (fl. 1630 – 1660) was a Dutch or German soldier and military engineer who served the Parliamentarian cause during the English Civil War.

After serving throughout Europe, Rosworm settled in Manchester in 1642 where the town engaged him on a £ 30, six-month contract to lead their defence against the Royalist Lord Strange. Despite an approach from Strange to defect to the Royalists, Rosworm completed the town's makeshift fortifications on 23 September 1642. The siege began the following day and the town was defended until Strange's withdrawal on 1 October.

Rosworm marshalled a counter-attack against the Royalists, capturing Leigh as a base for Parliamentarian forces in Lancashire. Now made Lieutenant Colonel in Ralph Ashton's regiment, he organised the fortification of Preston, following its capture on 9 February 1643.

His original contract with Manchester having ended, he was retained on an annual salary of £ 60, forgoing his commission from Ashton and committing himself to the garrison in Manchester, improving its fortification. During service in the capture of Wigan, Rosworm claimed that Colonel Richard Holland had endangered his safety but Holland escaped censure owing to his strong political influence. A bitter enmity lingered between the two men.

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