Thomas Savage (bishop)

Archbishop of York
The basics

Quick Facts

IntroArchbishop of York
PlacesEngland United Kingdom
isPriest Diplomat
Work fieldReligion Politics
Gender
Male
Death3 September 1507
The details

Biography

Thomas Savage (1463 – 3 September 1507 at Cawood Castle, Yorkshire) was King's Chaplain and an Archbishop of York.

Family and studies

Savage was the second son of the many children of Sir John Savage, K.B., of Clifton, Cheshire, by his wife Katherine, daughter of Thomas Stanley, 1st Baron Stanley, K.G. Sir John Savage, KG, was his eldest brother. He spent some years in study at Oxford University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree before 1474. He was then sent abroad, studying at the University of Bologna before July 1477, and then at the University of Padua, where he was admitted a Doctor of Canon Law, and acted as a jurist Rector 1481–2.

Career

Savage was appointed Rector of Davenham, Cheshire, 1470; Rector of Jacobstow, Devon, 1474; Rector of Monks Risborough, Buckinghamshire, 1484; and Rector of Rosthorne, Cheshire. In 1490 he took part as a representative of England in the unsuccessful conference at Boulogne. On 3 December 1492, Thomas Savage was nominated Bishop of Rochester. He was consecrated on 28 April 1493 and held the post until 1496 when he was translated to be Bishop of London. He was president of the council attendant on the king and dean of the household chapel of Henry VII before he was translated from the see of London on 18 January 1501 to be Archbishop of York, a post he held until death. While Archbishop he handled the marriage ceremony of Arthur, Prince of Wales, to Catherine of Aragon. Prince Arthur died young, and his brother Henry, who became Henry VIII, then married Catherine.

"A Lancastrian in politics, he was much trusted and employed by Henry VII....he was a courtier by nature, and took part in the great ceremonies of his time, the creation of Prince Henry as Duke of York, the meeting with the Archduke Philip, and the reception of Catherine of Aragon."

Death

Savage's body is buried in York Minster where his effigy remains. His heart was buried in the Savage Chapel in the church of Macclesfield, Cheshire.

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