Elizabeth Darcy, she was the daughter of Thomas Darcy, 3rd Baron Darcy of Chiche (later Earl Rivers) and his wife, Mary Kitson (died 1644), a granddaughter of Thomas Kitson. He was the eldest son of Sir John Savage, 1st Baronet and his wife Mary née Allington, from whom he inherited Melford Hall in Suffolk. In 1615, he inherited his father"s baronetcy and was created Viscount Savage in 1626.
Born Honorary Both men were closely associated with Charles I, had links with George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and both had enforced the king"s policies in their respective counties (Essex in the case of Lord Rivers and Lancashire and Cheshire in the case of Lord Savage). Lady Rivers" father had been suspected of being a Papist, but enjoyed royal protection against recusancy legislation, although he was excluded from the county magistracy. Following parliament"s explanation of the ineffectual settlement with the king to have been caused by a Catholic conspiracy, local grievances heightened rumour and suspicion and Lady Rivers was presented to the Essex court as a recusant and her home at Street Osyth was searched for arms.
Following the attack on Sir John Lucas at Colchester, Street Osyth was ransacked and plundered by the crowds.
Forewarned, Lady Rivers had fled to Long Melford but the crowds followed her there and almost destroyed that residence also. According to a local story, Lady Rivers, upon also escaping Melford, threw a box with a string of pearls into a nearby pond before fleeing.
Although attacked by the masses in opposition of her family"s association with the king and their religious patronage, Lady Rivers was able to secure support from those that did not share the same views. Parliament later ordered her estates to be restored to her, but her tenants subsequently refused to pay rent.
After a second episode of invasion of her estates by Parliamentarian soldiers, she sought permission to go to France in May 1643.
On her death in 1651, she was said to have been bankrupt and was buried at Street Osyth with her ancestors.
