John Savage, 2nd Earl Rivers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl Rivers
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| Coat of arms | .svg) |
| Born | John Savage 25 February 1603 London |
| Died | 10 October 1654 (aged 51) Frodsham Castle, Frodsham, Cheshire |
| Buried | St Michael and All Angels' Church, Macclesfield 53°15′37″N 2°07′28″W / 53.2603°N 2.1244°W |
| Residence | Rocksavage, Halton Castle, Frodsham Castle |
| Noble family | Savage family |
| Spouse(s) | Lady Catherine Parker Mary Ogle |
| Issue | with Catherine: Thomas Savage, 3rd Earl Rivers Lady Jane Savage John Savage b. 1630 Elizabeth, Baroness Petre Catherine, Lady Sedley Lady Mary Killigrew with Mary: Hon. Peter Savage |
| Parents | Thomas Savage, 1st Viscount Savage Elizabeth Savage, Countess Rivers |
| Occupation | Member of Parliament for Cheshire from 1624-25, Steward of Halton Castle, Patron of the Earl Rivers Regiment of Foote |
John Savage, 2nd Earl Rivers (born February 25, 1603 – died October 10, 1654) was an important English nobleman and politician. He was also a Cavalier, meaning he supported King Charles I during the English Civil War. John Savage came from Cheshire, a county in England.
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Who Was John Savage?
John Savage was born on February 25, 1603, in London. He was the first son of Thomas Savage, 1st Viscount Savage and Elizabeth Savage, Countess Rivers. His family was very wealthy and owned land in both Ireland and England.
When his father died in 1635, John became the 2nd Viscount Savage. This was a noble title. Later, in 1640, when his grandfather died, John also inherited the title of Earl Rivers. This made him the 2nd Earl Rivers.
John Savage's Marriages and Children
John Savage married Lady Catherine Parker before 1626. Catherine was the daughter of William Parker, 13th Baron Morley. John and Catherine had eight children together.
Their children included:
- Thomas, who later became the 3rd Earl Rivers.
- John Savage, who moved to America.
- Jane, who married three times.
- Elizabeth, who married William Petre, 4th Baron Petre.
- Catherine, who married Sir Charles Sedley, 5th Baronet.
- Mary, who married Henry Killigrew.
Later, around 1647, John Savage married Mary Ogle. They had one child named Peter.
Life as a Nobleman and Politician
John Savage came from a Catholic family. He studied at Oxford University and then entered politics. He became a Member of Parliament for Cheshire. In 1624, he was knighted, which means he was given the title "Sir."
The Savage family were important landowners in Frodsham. Their coat of arms showed six black lions on a silver shield. Their family crest was a lion's leg coming out of a golden crown.
Homes and Properties
As the Steward of Halton, Earl Rivers lived at Halton Castle, which is near Runcorn. He also owned a large manor house called Rocksavage at Clifton, also near Runcorn. Rocksavage looked similar to another famous house called Brereton Hall.
Role in the English Civil War
In 1639-1640, John Savage was part of a group looking into complaints against King Charles I. However, by 1641, he decided to support the King. In 1642, King Charles I asked him to raise a group of soldiers in Cheshire.
Savage created a large and well-equipped army called the Earl Rivers Regiment of Foote. These soldiers were well-trained and had experienced officers. This regiment was with the King when he officially started the war in Nottingham. They fought in many major battles.
Halton Castle and the War
When Earl Rivers returned to Cheshire, he put Captain Walter Primrose in charge of Halton Castle and made it stronger for defense. The castle was attacked twice by the Parliamentarians (those who opposed the King).
The first attack was in 1643, led by Sir William Brereton. The Parliamentarians took the castle for a short time. But when they heard that Royalist forces, led by Prince Rupert, were coming, they left. The Royalists then also left Halton, and the Parliamentarians took control of the castle again.
With Halton Castle under Parliamentarian control and his home at Rocksavage in ruins, Earl Rivers moved to Frodsham Castle. He did not take part in the Civil War after this.
Death and Legacy
John Savage died at Frodsham Castle on October 10, 1654. He was 51 years old. Just a few hours after he died, while his body was still inside, the castle caught fire and was completely destroyed. His body was saved and buried two days later in Macclesfield.
