MACCLESFIELD No. 7

St. Michael's: The Savage Chapel and Savage Family

Grid Ref: SJ 918 737
24 January 2003

John Savage the 7th, with his wife, Elizabeth, daughter of the Earl of Worcester. He died in 1528.		John & Elizabeth Savage: detail of the heads and hands
Effigy of a civilian, possibly William Legh, in which the central section has not been completed		View across the chapel towards the two effigies, taken by natural light with a long exposure.
The back of the Savage Chapel. Right of the effigies are a chart of the ministers, the Legh Pardon Brass, and the Breeches Bible		The tomb of John Savage and Elizabeth Manners
The Legh Pardon Brass. Roger Legh died 4 November 1506 and his wife Elizabeth died on 5 October 1489.		Canopy of the tomb of John Savage with inscription in Latin and the date of 1597

The Savage Chapel was built by Thomas Savage between 1502 and 1507. It was built as a chantry chapel. Thomas Savage became Archbishop of York in this capacity was responsible for the marriage ceremony of Prince Arthur, eldest son of Henry VII, to Catherine of Aragon. Arthur died young and his brother Henry, who became Henry VIII, then married Catherine. The chapel is reached from the south aisle. The three storey porch has the shields of Rocester, London and York - the three places where Thomas Savage was a bishop before becoming an Archbishop. Note in the picture top left the small dog tugging at the folds of the dress of John Savage's wife. The tomb with the canopy at the bottom right and the effigies in the picture above it belong to John Savage who built Rock Savage near Runcorn, a house on which Brereton Hall was modelled. Elizabeth Manners, daughter of the Earl of Rutland, lies higher than her husband because of her more noble birth.

The Legh Chapel was built in 1422 for the burial of Piers Legh of Lyme. He fought at Agincourt in 1415 and died at the seige of Meaux. He and his father arecommemorated by a brass plaque on the wall of the chapel, but it is difficult to photograph.

The East Window in the Savage Chapel was bought in memory of Francis Brocklehurst and created from the pattern book of Burne Jones.  Among the figures depicted are St. Chad and Eleanor of Castille.  Francis Brocklehurst was a banker from the silk weaving family; his bank was in King Edward Street near the Unitarian Chapel.  Francis Brocklehurst paid for the East Window in the Nave and the West Window in memory of Queen Victoria.  He gave Victoria Park to the town.

The Legh Pardon Brass and a Summary of Changes during the Reformation

The Legh Pardon Brass was made in 1506 to commemorate Roger Leigh and his wife. It is a survival from the period before the Reformation. It refers to the practice of buying indulgences. The idea of purgatory was created by Pope Gregory and the Council of Lyon in 1274. It was said to be a place where the soul awaited judgement. People hoped to reduce the length of time their souls spent in purgatory by endowing chantry chapels where priests would pray for them, or by buying indulgences. In 1505, Pope Julius II rebuilt St. Peter's by selling indulgences. The brass used to show Roger Legh, his wife Elizabeth, six sons and seven daughters. This is known from a drawing made by Randal Holmes, the Cheshire Historian, in 1660 but the right side of the brass has been lost. The pardon granted for saying five Paternosters, five Aves and a creed was 26 thousand years and 26 days. It is not related how much money changed hands or indeed how the authorities calculated the amount of pardon that corresponded to various prayers or payments. This practice was seen as one of the more corrupt elements of the church at the time of the Reformation. Martin Luther was a vehement opponent.

Although the Church of England broke away from the control of the Pope during the reign of Henry VIII, in terms of doctrine and practice it remained essentially the same. The real Reformation took place under Henry's son, King Edward VI, who reigned from 1547 to 1553. He was strongly influenced by Archbishop Cranmer, a proponent of reform. On 25 December 1547, Edward ordered the confiscation of the money and land bequeathed to support chantry chapels. Chantry priests were pensioned. In the same year Edward ordered that candlesticks, paintings, statues and holy water stoops should be removed from churches. The bones of saints, that were formerly held in reliquaries, had to be buried and stained glass was destroyed in many churches. The use of incense, worship of saints and statues, and prayers for the dead were abolished. In 1552, it was stated that purgatory did not exist. It was during this reign, in 1547, that churches were first required to have pulpits. The view of the King, expressed through the archbishop and bishops could be passed to the priests for communication to the populace. It was the introduction of the sermon that then led, in subsequent years, to the installation of pews. Before this the congregation stood in the nave except for a few, who could sit on a stone bench around the edge - hence the expression "the weakest to the wall". Hitherto the priest had remained in the chancel speaking only Latin while the largely illiterate congregation stood in the nave. With the introduction of the new prayer book and the translation of the bible into English, the congregation were in a position to follow what took place. Services were brought into the nave with the use of a reading desk for the priest. Cranmer's book of Common Prayer was introduced on 7 March 1549 with a revised version in 1552.

The doctrinal changes were reversed when Edward VI was succeeded by his half sister, Queen Mary (1553-1558) who was a Catholic. By this stage, many of the artefacts associated with the old religion had been lost. When Elizabeth I succeeded Mary, the country swung back to Protestantism. She reintroduced the Prayer Book of 1552 and confirmed Edward's reforms by issuing the "Thirty Nine Articles" in 1563. Rood lofts were small platforms above the rood screen. They were demolished by Puritan factions but Elizabeth allowed them to be moved to form West Galleries used by musicians. Hence the expression "turn to face the music".

During the Civil War, the Puritans were responsible for destroying what they saw as remaining items associated with Catholicism and during this period Cheshire lost most of what remained of its Norman fonts. In the 19th century, a number of the old practices were reintroduced by the supporters of the Gothic Revival in the Church of England. For example, a 19th century rood loft can be seen at Manchester Cathedral. Stained glass and candles are seen in most Anglican churches as illustrated on this web site but statues with candles burning in front of them and pictures are seen in only a few "High Church" establishments; they are uncommon in Cheshire.

The Savage Family

The Savage family tree is complicated by the fact that no less than nine in succession were called John. The following is taken from Ormerod's History of Cheshire, which draws on Sir Peter Leycesters work for the pedigree prior to about 1673. For the most part I concentrate in each generation on the heir but notes are included on their siblings where there is some historic interest or a connection with other Cheshire families mentioned on this site.

The tree starts with the first John Savage, who married Margaret Daniers or Daniell. She was daughter and heir of Sir Thomas Daniers of Bradley in Appleton, commonly called Daniel. Her mother's name was Isabel, daughter and heir of William Baggiley by Clemence his wife, daughter and coheir of Sir Roger Dutton of Chedhill in Cheshire, commonly stiled Sir Roger de Chedhill, lord of Chedill and Clifton. This Margaret Daniell had all her mother's lands but her father's lands were settled on the male heirs of the Daniels.

• 1. John Savage, died 10 Rich II. 1386
• + Margaret Daniers or Danyers, d. of Sir Sir Thomas Daniers. She had three husbands, the first was John Ratcliffe 42 Edw III who died without issue by her. The second husband was John Savage, married about 49 Edw III. After John Savage's death, she then married Piers Legh of Macclesfield (younger son of Robert Legh of Adlington) by whom she had issue Piers Legh, from whom the Leghs of Lime in Macclesfield Hundred; and John Legh, younger son, escheator of Cheshire 12-13 Hen VI from whom the Leghs of Ridge nigh Macclesfield. Margaret survived all her husbands and died in 1427. In addition to her son with John Savage, she had two daughters by him, Elizabeth and Blanche.
  • 2. John Savage, of Clifton, knight, 6 Hen V. had the mannor of Barrow from his wife Maude. They were married prior to 1409. After the death of Maude, Sir John married Elena, widow of James Haryngton, in 1428. This Sir John Savage was referred to as a knight in 4 Hen V. and was probably knighted at Agincourt in 3 Hen V. He died 1 August, 28 Hen VI (1449)
  • + Maude, daughter and heir of Sir Robert Swinnerton. In addtion to their son John they had William; Arnold, who married Elen daughter of William, son and heir of Richard de la Lee, juxta Bacford, knight, circa 1458; George and Roger. Also two daughters: Margaret, married John Dutton, second son of Sir Piers Dutton of Dutton, 6 Hen V, afterwards heir to Sir Piers his father; and Maude married Sir Thomas Booth of Barton in Lancashire.
    • 3. John Savage,of Clifton, Esq.
    • + Wife not named in Ormerod. In addition to their son John there were also two daughters: Margery, who married Edmund Legh of Baggiley in Cheshire, Esq. about 15 Edw. IV. She afterwards married Thomas Leycester, of Nether Tabley, Esq, 17 Edw. IV. 1477 (and was his second wife). Margaret, another daughter, married John Maxfield, afterwards she married Randle Mainwaring of Carincham (commonly now called Kermincham) third son of Randle Mainwaring of Over-Pever, Esq.
      • 4. Sir John Savage,of Clifton, senior, knight 17 Edw. IV. 1477. He died 22 November 1495 aged 73.
        
      • +Catharine, daughter of Sir Thomas Stanley, after Lord Stanley and sister to Thomas Stanley Earl of Derby. In addtion to their eldest son John this couple also had: Thomas Savage, bishop of Rochester 1492, then London 1497, then archbishop of York 1501 and died 1508, his body being buried at York and his heart at Macclesfield in Cheshire, where he built a chappel at the side of the church and intended to have a college there: Sir Homphrey Savage: Lawrence Savage; James Savage; Sir Edmund Savage, knighted at Leith in Scotland, 11 May 1544, which Edmund married Mary, the widow of Roger Legh del Ridge near Macclesfield and daughter and heir of William Sparke of Surrey, 30 Hen VIII, 1538; Christopher Savage; William Savage; George Savage; and Richard Savage: also Ellen Savage, a daughter, married Peter Legh of Lyme in Cheshire, 1467. Katherine, another daughter married Thomas Legh of Adlington in Cheshire, Esq., in 1479. Margaret married Edmund Trafford of Trafford in Lancashire. Alice married Roger de Pilkington of Lancashire and Elizabeth married John, son of William Leeke of Langford in Derbyshire.
        • 5. Sir John Savage of Clifton, junior, knight, had the charge of the left wing at the Battle of Bosworth Field in Leicestershire, 22 August 1485. He was very instrumental, together with Thomas Lord Stanley, his uncle, afterwards made Earl of Darby, in the promoting of Henry VII to the crown and in obtaining the victory at Bosworth; for which service Henry VII granted him several manors in Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Shropshire. Sir John was killed at the siege of Bolougne 8 in 1492 in the lifetime of his father. He was made knight of the garter by Henry VII. He had a bastard son, called George Savage, parson of Davenham in Cheshire.
        • + Wife unknown in Ormerod. Children in addition to John were: Alice, married Sir William Brereton of Brereton in Cheshire; Felicia, married Robert Milward of Eaton in Derbyshire, Esq; Ellen, married John Hawarden; Maude, married Sir Robert Needham of Shenton in Shropshire.
          • 6. Sir John Savage of Clifton, was knighted about 13 Hen VII and was sheriff of Worcestershire 24 years from the death of his father. He was styled Sir John Savage the elder, 12 Hen VIII. He died 2 March 1527
          • + Anne, daughter and heir of Raufe Bostock of Bostock in Davenham parish, Esq., In addition to John Savage, had Edward, George, Richard, Lawrence, Roger and Thomas and also a daugher Anne.
            • 7. Sir John Savage of Clifton, knight, styled the younger in 1520; he died 27 July 1528 aged 35, when his heir, John was only three years nine months old.
            • + Elizabeth, daughter of Charles Somerset, Earl of Worcester. Issue John Savage, son and heir; Henry; Margaret, married Sir Richard Buckley of Beaumorris in Wales; Mary, married John Hamden of Hamden. When widowed from Sir John, Elizabeth married Sir William Brereton of the bedchamber to Hen VIII, beheaded for alleged dalliance with Queen Anne, 17 May 1536. He was the younger son of Sir Randle Brereton of Malpas.
              • 8.Sir John Savage of Clifton, knight. Married first Elizabeth Manners and after her death Elinour, widow of Sir Richard Pexhull of Beaurepair in Southamptonshire and daughter of John Cotgreve but had no children by her. This Elinour had extensive land from the will of Sir Richard Pexhull which Sir John settled on his younger son, Edward. Sir John Savage of Clifton built the new house at Clifton, 1565 which was afterwards called Rock Savage. He was sheriff of Cheshire seven times and three times mayor of Chester. He died 5 December 1597 aged 73 and was buried at Macclesfield the 24 January 1597 (Julian Calendar had new year start on 25 March)
              • + Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Mannours, Earl of Rutland, about 1 Edw. VI. 1547 by whom he had five sons and five daughters. John born 1548 died an infant; another John born 1554 succeeded as heir, Thomas, born 1556 died young; Edward, born 1560; Francis, born 1562 and died young. Margaret, born 1549 married Sir William Brereton of Brereton in Cheshire, afterwards Baron of Laghlin in Ireland, who built the fine new house at Brereton. Second daughter was Elizabeth, born 1552, married Thomas Langton, baron of Newton in Lancashire, 1580. Elinour, third daughter, born 1557, married Sir Henry Bagnall, son and heir of Sir Nicholas Bagnall, knight, marshal of the Queen's army in Ireland, 1577. Later she married Sir Sackvill Trever. Mary, fourth daughter, born 1563, married Sir Richard Milles in Hampshire. Frances, fifth daughter, born 1567 married Thomas Wilkes, Esq., of Surrey. Sir John's wife Elizabeth, died 8 August 1570.
                • 9. Sir John Savage of Rock Savage, created baronet in 1611. Sir John was mayor of Chester 1607 and sheriff of Cheshire the same year. He was buried at Macclesfield Friday 14 July 1615
                • +Mary, one of the daughters and coheirs of Richard Allington, Esq., deceased about 1575 and had issue John, who died young; Thomas Savage, second son, who succeeded; John Savage, third son; Richard Savage; William Savage. Also a daughter Elizabeth, who married Thomas Manwaring younger son of Manwaring of Martin-Sands near Over in Cheshire and had issue: afterwards she married Sir Raufe Done of Duddon in Cheshire. Grace Savage, another daughter married Sir Richard Wilbraham of Woodhey in Cheshire.
                  • 10. Sir Thomas Savage of Rock Savage, baronet, was created Viscount Savage by Charles I on 6 November 1626. Jane, sister and heir to Sir William Cordell, master of the rolls, and lord of Long-Melford in Suffolk, gave by her will to Sir Thomas Savage, Long-Melford with other lands in Suffolk, dated 15 July 1602. She was widow of Sir Richard Allington and grandmother to Sir Thomas Savage. Thomas Viscount Savage was chancellor of the Queen's court at Westminster 1634 and died at London but was buried at Macclesfield 16 December 1635. The lady Mary Savage of Bostock Hall, his mother, was also buried there the same day.
                  • +Elizabeth Darcy, eldest daughter and coheiress of Thomas Lord Darcy. Covenants of their marriage bear the date 26 Mar, 44 Eliz. 1602.
                    • 11. John Lord Savage was created Earl Rivers in right of his mother, 1639. Died at Frodsham Castle, 10 October 1654 and on the same night the house was destroyed by fire. He was buried at Macclesfield
                    • + Catherine, daughter or William Parker Lord Morley and Lord Mounteagle of Hornby Castle in Lancashire
                      • 12. Thomas Savage, 2nd Earl Rivers.
                      • + 2nd wife, Elizabeth, base daughter of Emanuel Lord Scroop of Bolton and Earl of Sunderland.
                        • 13. Thomas Savage, Viscount Colchester, married Henrietta Charlotte, daughter of Charles 8th Earl of Derby but died without issue in his father's life-time in 1694.
                        • 13. Richard Savage, second son succeeded. He died 18 August 1712. Richard had two illegitimate children: Bessy by Mrs. Colydon married Frederick the Earl of Rochford; Richard Savage by the countess of Macclesfield, who became a poet.
                        • + Peneleope, sister and heiress of Roger Downes of Wardley in Lancashire.
                          • 14. Elizabeth, who died before 1720 and who married (as his second wife), James Barry, 4th Earl of Barrymore who died 5 Jan 1748. Earl Barrymore then married, thirdly, Anne Chichester, dau of Arthur, 3rd Earl of Donegal and produced four sons.
                            • 15. Penelope Barry who married James, third son of George Earl Cholmondeley. She died without issue about 1742 and her estates went to her husband's great nephew, George James, Earl and later Marquis of Cholmondeley.
                      • 12. John Savage died without issue.
                      • 12. Richard Savage who married Alice, daughter and heiress of Thos Trafford of Bridge Trafford, had a son John who was a Catholic priest and died without issue.
                      • 12. Elizabeth, Jane, Mary and Frances, who died young.
                    • 11. Thomas Savage, second son, married Brigit the widow of Sir Edward Somerset and the daughter of William Whitmore of Leighton in Wirrall in Cheshire, Esq., by his wife Margaret the sister and heir of Sir George Beeston of Beeston in Cheshire and daughter of Sir Hugh Beeston, from whom the Savages of Beeston.
                    • 11. Francis Savage, third son;
                    • 11. William, James and Richard all died without issue.
                    • 11. Charles Savage, seventh son, livng in 1666
                    • 11. Jane, eldest daughter, married John Pawlet, Lord St. John, 1622 after Marquis of Winchester;
                    • 11. Dorothy married Lord Andover son and heir of the Earl of Barkshire
                    • 11. Elizabeth, third daughter married Sir John Thimbelby of Lincolnshire.
                    • 11 Anne fourth daughter, married Robert Brudenal of Stouton in Northamptonshire, afterwards created Earl of Cardigan, 20 April 1661;
                    • 11. Katherine a nun at Dunkirk in 1666
                    • 11. Henrietta Maria, sixth daughter married Raufe Sheldon of Beeley in Gloucestershire, Esq.

Ormerod comments as follows on the tangled situation that soon developed from the 12th generation shown above in which the Savage estate passed out of the blood line and into the Cholmondeley family.

Thomas Savage, 2nd Earl Rivers, had a son, Thomas Savage, Viscount Colchester, who died in his father's life-time and Richard a second son who succeeded to the title and estates. He left one daughter, Elizabeth who was the wife of James, Earl of Barrymore. On the death of Richard, 3rd Earl Rivers, without legitimate male heirs, the title went to his cousin, John Savage who was a Catholic priest and died without assuming the title. Under a settlement of 1711, made by Richard Earl Rivers, this John Savage had an interest in the estate for life but after his death descended to lady Penelope Barry, daughter of Elizabeth countess of Barrymore. She was married to James, the second surviving son of George Earl of Cholmondeley. She died without issue in 1786. Her estates then passed to her husband's great nephew, George James, Earl and later Marquis of Cholmondeley.

Tableau showing Archbishop Thomas Savage in the sanctuary of St. Michael's

Sources

Ormerod's History of Cheshire
The King's England - Cheshire by Arthur Mee, published by Hodder and Stoughton in 1938, fourth impression 1950.
St. Michael's & All Angels, Macclesfield, text and research by Matthew Hyde, photography by Philip Banks, design by Taffy Davies, a new colour brochure on the church was published in June 2010.

Back to list of  families
Introduction to Cheshire Gentry

Macclesfield Page 1: Town Centre
Macclesfield Page 2: Town Centre
Macclesfield Page 3: Halls
Macclesfield Page 4: The Canal
Macclesfield Page 5: Christ Church
Macclesfield Page 6: St. Michael's, the Nave
Macclesfield Page 7: St. Michael's the Savage Chapel
Macclesfield Page 8: Nonconformist Chapels
Macclesfield Page 9: Some Macclesfield Mills