suc. fa. 1659 (a minor) as 2nd earl of SUSSEX
Never sat.
b. ?1647, only s. and h. of Thomas Savile†, earl of Sussex, and Anne, only da. of Christopher Villiers†, earl of Anglesey. educ. privately; travelled abroad (France) 1662. m. Anne, da. and coh. of Robert Wake of Antwerp and London, merchant. 1s. d.v.p. bur. 11 Oct. 1671; admon. 17 Oct. 1671.1
Associated with: Howley Hall, Yorks.
James Savile was the only son of the ‘ambitious and restless’ first earl (a close associate of George Villiers†, duke of Buckingham). The date of his succession is uncertain, but was between the date of his father’s will, 3 Nov. 1657, and it being proved, on 8 Oct. 1659. He inherited large tracts of land in West Yorkshire, where the family were major political players.2 The family had traditionally engaged in fierce rivalry with the Wentworths, but there is little evidence of political activity by the 2nd earl. His early years in the earldom were dominated by the settlement of family affairs after the Restoration, not least the recovery from his mother of over 20 paintings belonging to the king.3 Savile appears to have spent some time in France in 1662, but by 1670 he was probably living in his residence of Howley Hall, near Wakefield in Yorkshire. At that time he was involved in a chancery suit against Sir Thomas Gower‡ concerning properties granted to the first earl by Charles I.4
In 1668, still a minor, Sussex was indirectly involved in securing private legislation for the payment of a £5,000 portion to his younger sister Lady Frances (who was to be married to Francis Brudenell, styled Lord Brudenell, eldest son of Robert Brudenell, 2nd earl of Cardigan). The bill was read in the Lords for the first time on 5 March. Five days later, it passed its second reading; those named to the committee included Frances’ prospective father-in-law, Cardigan. On 18 Mar. the committee, chaired by Charles Howard, then styled Viscount Andover but sitting as Baron Howard of Charlton (later 2nd earl of Berkshire), discussed the bill. Savile, Lady Frances and the countess of Sussex were all present and consented to its provisions.5 It received the royal assent on 9 May 1668.
At a call of the House on 26 Oct. 1669 Sussex was excused attendance but no reason was given. Although there is no record that he ever took his seat, on 14 Feb. 1670 he registered his proxy in favour of his kinsman George Savile, Viscount (later earl and marquess of) Halifax. Sussex died in the autumn of 1671 and was buried in Batley, Yorkshire, on 11 October. Having been predeceased by his infant son, the peerage died with him. His estate passed to his brother-in-law, Brudenell. It was estimated to be worth £4,000 a year, with at least £20,000-worth of woodland and a ‘well-furnished’ country house, but was encumbered with debts of some £15,000–£20,000.6 Sussex’s widow subsequently married Fairfax Overton.
B.A./R.P.