Biography of John Savile of Shelley and Golcar 1325-1399

Paternal Family Tree: Savile

1346 Siege of Calais

1356 Battle of Poitiers

1367 Battle of Nájera

1376 Good Parliament

1389 Scrope vs Grosvenor Case

Around 1325 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was born to John Savile of Shelley and Golcar.

Siege of Calais

In or after 03 Sep 1346 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 21) took part in the Siege of Calais.

In 1353 [his father] John Savile of Shelley and Golcar died.

In or before Jun 1353 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 28) and Isabel Elland (age 13) were married. Her father Thomas Elland settled the manors of Tankersley and Elland on them as part of the marriage settlement.

Around 1354 [his son] John Savile was born to John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 29) and [his wife] Isabel Elland (age 14).

Around 1355 [his son] Henry Savile of Thornhill was born to John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 30) and [his wife] Isabel Elland (age 15).

Battle of Poitiers

On 19 Sep 1356 the army of Edward "Black Prince" (age 26) defeated the French and Scottish army led by King John "The Good" II of France (age 37) at the Battle of Poitiers

King John "The Good" II of France (age 37) was captured by three captains including Ivon aka John Fane.

The the English army included: Bernard Brocas (age 26), Thomas Felton (age 26), James Audley (age 38), Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick (age 43), Bartholomew "The Younger" Burghesh 2nd Baron Burghesh (age 28), Reginald Cobham 1st Baron Cobham (age 61), Edward Despencer 1st Baron Despencer, Baron Burghesh (age 21), Ralph Ferrers (age 27), William Scrope (age 31), William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 28), Walter Paveley 4th Baron Burghesh (age 37), Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 58), William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk (age 18), John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford (age 44), John Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby (age 33), Thomas Arderne (age 19), Enion Sais Brecon, John Chandos (age 36), Richard Pembridge (age 36), Jean Grailly (age 25), Robert de Fouleshurst (age 26) and John Sully (age 73)

John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 31) probably fought having received letters of protection to travel overseas.

Hugh Courtenay 10th Earl Devon (age 53) protected the baggage train.

The French and Scottish army included: King John "The Good" II of France (age 37), Philip "Bold" Valois II Duke Burgundy (age 14), Jean Bourbon I Count La Marche (age 12), Archibald "Grim" Douglas 3rd Earl Douglas (age 26), John "Sans Terre" Artois 1st Count Eu (age 35); all captured.

Guichard d'Angle 1st Earl Huntingdon and William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas (age 33) fought.

Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon (age 45) was killed. His son Louis Bourbon II Duke Bourbon (age 19) succeeded II Duke Bourbon.

In Nov 1364 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 39) was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer of Conspiracies in Yorkshire.

In Feb 1365 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 40) was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer of disorder at Wortley.

After 1367 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 42) transferred his allegiance to the new duke, John of Gaunt (age 26), becoming a member of the latter's affinity, at a fee of £20 a year during this period. In return for his annuity he took part in at least three expeditions to France.

Battle of Nájera

On 03 Apr 1367 the forces of Peter "Cruel" I King Castile (age 32) commanded by Edward "Black Prince" (age 36) defeated the army of Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile (age 33) at the Battle of Nájera at Nájera. The English forces included John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 27), William Scrope, Peter Courtenay (age 21), John Devereux 1st Baron Devereux (age 30), John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 42), Bernard Brocas (age 37) and Thomas Banastre (age 33).

The forces of Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile (age 33) included Bertrand Geusclin (age 47). The battle achieved little since Bertrand Geusclin (age 47) escaped.

John Ferrers 4th Baron Ferrers of Chartley (age 36) was killed. His son Robert Ferrers 5th Baron Ferrers of Chartley (age 9) succeeded 5th Baron Ferrers of Chartley. Margaret Despencer Baroness Ferrers of Chartley by marriage Baroness Ferrers of Chartley.

Edward "Black Prince" (age 36) thereafter returned home, taking Peter's daughters Constance (age 13) and Isabella (age 12) as hostages to ensure Peter would pay the money owed to Edward. Constance (age 13) married John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 27), Isabella (age 12) married Edmund of Langley 1st Duke York (age 25).

Before May 1369 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 44) was knighted.

In Feb 1370 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 45) was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer of poaching at Halifax.

In Apr 1373 Gaunt's (age 33) receiver was ordered to pay the 30 archers whom Saville (age 48) and Sir Robert Rockley had commanded on one of these recent operations. Sir John (age 48) probably had the duke (age 33) to thank for the knighthood which was bestowed upon him in the late 1360s; and he also acquired the marriage of Elizabeth Thornton (age 16), one of his patron's wards, albeit for 'un grant somme'.

Good Parliament

In 1376 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 51) was elected MP Yorkshire in the Good Parliament. During the Good Parliament, he was sufficiently trusted to conduct Thomas Caterton from Queenborough Castle [Map] for interrogation before Parliament. Caterton had been appealed for treason by Sir John Annesley, and the court party, including Gaunt (age 35), was anxious to protect him from attack. In the event, they were able to hold off the opposition, despite some damning revelations about their conduct of the war-effort. The duke (age 35) himself was singled out for particular criticism, and during the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 he fled into Scotland, leaving his Savoy Palace [Map] to be destroyed by the London mob. Gaunt (age 35) was, understandably, reluctant to cross the border again without the protection of a sizeable bodyguard. In late Jun 1376, therefore, his leading retainers in the north were instructed to provide an escort for his journey to Knaresborough [Map]. Not only did John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 51) mobilize a personal retinue of ten men-at-arms and 40 archers; he also helped to suppress the rebellion in the north by serving on two commissions for the punishment of insurgents.

In or before 1380 [his son] Henry Savile of Thornhill (age 25) and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Thornhill (age 22) were married.

From 03 Mar 1380 to 18 Oct 1380 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 55) was appointed High Sheriff of Yorkshire.

From 24 Mar 1380 to 01 Nov 1383 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 58) was appointed High Sheriff of Yorkshire.

In Jan 1381 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 56) was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer for liability for poll tax.

In Oct 1382 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 57) was elected MP Yorkshire.

In Nov 1382 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 57) was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer for the goods of traitors.

In Apr 1384 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 59) was elected MP Yorkshire.

In Nov 1384 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 59) was elected MP Yorkshire.

From 18 Nov 1387 to 01 Dec 1388 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 63) was appointed High Sheriff of Yorkshire.

In Apr 1388 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 63) was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer of obstructions to the Ouse.

In Oct 1388 and Nov 1388 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 63) was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer of escapes from York jail.

Scrope vs Grosvenor Case

In Sep 1389 the Scrope vs Grosvenor Case was brought to the Court of Chivalry. Up to that time two families, Scrope and Grosvenor, had been using the armorial Scrope Arms: Azure, a bend or.

Several hundred witnesses were called including John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 49), Geoffrey Chaucer (age 46) and John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 64).

On 03 Sep 1386 Owain ap Gruffudd "Glyndŵr" Mathrafal Prince Powys (age 27) gave evidence at the Church of John the Baptist, Chester [Map].

The Court decided in favour of Scrope.

Neither party was happy with the decision so King Richard II (age 22) was called upon to give his personal verdict.

On 27 May 1390 he confirmed that Grosvenor could not bear the undifferenced arms.

As a consequence of the case the Grosvenor has for many years used the name Bendor for horses and nicknames.

In Jan 1390 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 65) was elected MP Yorkshire.

In May 1390 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 65) was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer of obstructions to the Ouse.

Before Jun 1396 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 71) was appointed Constable of Pontefract Castle.

Before 23 Sep 1399 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 74) died at Halifax. His will was proved on 23 Sep 1399. His elder son, [his son] John (age 45), appearing as his principal executor. Two months later his widow, Isabel (age 59), took a vow of perpetual chastity before a suffragan of the archbishop of York.

After 1423 [his former wife] Isabel Elland (age 83) died.

Royal Descendants of John Savile of Shelley and Golcar 1325-1399

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom x 1

Queen Consort Camilla Shand x 1

Diana Spencer Princess Wales x 4