Venue Type & Location
Overview
A magnificent Tudor residence named Rocksavage on a quadrangular plan replaced the medieval Clifton Hall on the site near the main route N through Lancashire. The successive homes of the Savage family were situated on top of a hill with a commanding view over the estuary of the Mersey and Weaver Rivers and the Welsh hills beyond.
The entrance gateway was flanked by 2 octagonal towers. Only the ruins of the surrounding sandstone wall remain, incorporated in a grange farm estate.
Performance History
Probable performance venue. There are no relevant Savage family accounts surviving but 15th c. payments elsewhere indicate patronage of entertainers who may have performed at Clifton as well.
Current Status
History of the Venue
15th c. The medieval residence, Clifton Hall, was the home of the Savage family.
1565 Sir John Savage built a new residence on the site.
1617 James I stayed at Rocksavage.
18th c. Barrymore family acquired the estate briefly. Tudor residence replaced and deserted.
later 18th--20th c. Estate owned by the Cholmondeley family. Rocksavage became ruinous. Gatehouse and sections of the buttressed walls survived.
ca. 1970 Parts of the Cholmondeley estates sold, including
Rocksavage site.
Record Source
REED York 1.66, 72, 75
Patrons who owned this venue
| Name | Date | Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Savage, John | 1370-1450 | Knight |
Bibliographic Sources
- Figueiredo, Peter de, and Julian Treuherz. Cheshire Country Houses. Chichester: Phillimore, 1988
- King, Daniel. The Vale-Royal of England or the County Palatine of Chester Illustrated. London: John Streater, 1656
- Pevsner, Nikolaus, and Edward Hubbard. Cheshire. Harmondsworth, Midd: Penguin Books, 1971