Family and Education

b. c.1560, 2nd s. of Sir John Savage (d.1597)1 of Clifton, Cheshire and Elizabeth, da. of Thomas, 1st earl of Rutland; bro. of John†.2 educ. Brasenose, Oxf. 1576, aged 16; I. Temple 1578.3 m. by 1590, Polyxena (d.1623), da. and coh. of William (le) Grice† of Great Yarmouth, Norf., 4s. (2 d.v.p.) 2da.4 d. Aug. 1622.5

Offices Held

Constable of Halton Castle, Lancs. 1577-d.;6 dep. kpr. Hainault walk, Waltham Forest, Essex 1582;7 j.p. Hants 1600-?18;8 commr. oyer and terminer, Western circ. 1602-17;9 freeman, Southampton, Hants 1603,10 Chester, Cheshire 1607;11 commr. concealed lands, Hants 1604,12 subsidy 1608,13 aid 1609, 1612,14 piracy, 1611,15 disarming recusants 1612.16

Biography

As the younger son of a prominent Cheshire family, this Member was appointed to a minor office in the duchy of Lancaster before he had attained his majority or completed his education. He retained this position for life despite moving south after his father, Sir John, took as his second wife the widow of Sir Richard Pexall, and so acquired Beaurepaire in Hampshire.17 Savage himself married his stepmother’s niece, and lived at Beaurepaire, though his claim to the estate was disputed by Pexall’s heirs, the Brocas family, resulting in lengthy litigation which proved a serious drain on Savage’s finances.18 He also became embroiled in lawsuits with his neighbours, suing the tenants of Sir Richard Paulet* in 1606, and assisting Sir William Kingswell* to win a Chancery case in 1612.19 By 1614 he was in desperate need of parliamentary privilege, and was returned for Petersfield to the Addled Parliament. His only committee appointments were to consider a bill to confirm a Chancery decree (18 May), and to report on the constitutional position of baronetcies (23 May), one of which had been granted to his elder brother.20

Savage was outlawed for debt in 1615, and finally lost his claim to Beaurepaire after the death of his stepmother in 1618.21 However, he refused to move out, and on 17 May 1621 one of the sons of Sir Pexall Brocas†, accompanied by the sheriff of Hampshire, attempted to seize Beaurepaire by force. Savage had recourse to both Star Chamber and Chancery, and took sanctuary in The Savoy, leaving his furniture with his old neighbour Lord Sandys at the Vyne.22 He tried to retrieve his fortunes by selling off lands entailed to his eldest son, Sir John, resulting in further litigation.23 Before the outcome of these legal battles had been decided Savage died intestate in August 1622, and his son filed for administration shortly afterwards.24 His widow entrusted her grandson’s upbringing to another Hampshire man, Sir Benjamin Rudyard*.25

Ref Volumes: 1604-1629

Authors: Virginia C.D. Moseley / Rosemary Sgroi

Notes

• 1. PROB 11/99, f. 321.
• 2. Vis. Cheshire (Harl. Soc. xviii), 204.
• 3. Al. Ox.; I. Temple Admiss.
• 4. PROB 6/10, f. 208; PROB 11/142, f. 483.
• 5. C2/Jas.I/S18/10.
• 6. Duchy of Lancaster Office-Holders ed. R. Somerville, 147.
• 7. Lansd. 34, f. 97.
• 8. C231/1, f. 99; C66/1549, 1988.
• 9. C181/1, f. 29; 181/2, f. 269v.
• 10. HMC Southampton and King’s Lynn Corp. 22.
• 11. Chester Freemen Rolls ed. J.H.E. Bennett (Lancs. and Cheshire Rec. Soc. li), 92.
• 12. C181/1, f. 101.
• 13. SP14/31/1.
• 14. SP14/43/107; Harl. 354, f. 68.
• 15. C181/2, f. 139.
• 16. Whithed Letter Bk. (Hants Rec. ser. i), 98.
• 17. M. Burrows, Brocas of Beaurepaire, 211, 218, 222.
• 18. STAC 8/260/11; 8/276/3.
• 19. STAC 8/204/13; 8/270/15; C78/146/2.
• 20. Procs. 1614 (Commons), 280, 323.
• 21. VCH Hants, iv. 166, 203; E178/3510; E134/21 Jas.I/East 22.
• 22. STAC 8/260/11; C2/Jas.I/S18/10.
• 23. STAC 8/242/4; 266/14.
• 24. PROB 6/10, f. 208.
• 25. PROB 11/122, f. 260; 11/142, f. 483.