Thomas Darcy, 1st Earl Rivers

Thomas Darcy, 1st Earl Rivers (c.1565 – 25 February 1640) was an English peer and courtier.

He was the son of John Darcy, 2nd Baron Darcy of Chiche and Frances Rich. His grandfather was Thomas Darcy, 1st Baron Darcy of Chiche, a supporter of Lady Jane Grey. He succeeded to his father's title as 3rd Baron Darcy of Chiche in March 1581. In 1613, he obtained a new grant of the Barony of Darcy of Chiche with a special remainder, on the failure of his male issue, to his son-in-law, Sir Thomas Savage, and his heirs. He attended the courts of Elizabeth I and James I, and was created Viscount Colchester in the Peerage of England on 5 July 1621.[1] During the reign of Charles I, Darcy was further honoured when he was made Earl Rivers on 4 November 1626.[1] Both of these titles were created with the special remainder to Sir Thomas Savage and his heirs.[2]

Earl Rivers married Mary Kitson, a granddaughter of Sir Thomas Kitson. Together they had six children:[3]

• Hon. Thomas Darcy, died without issue during his father's lifetime
• Elizabeth Savage, Countess Rivers (1581–1650), married Thomas Savage, 1st Viscount Savage and had issue, including John Savage, 2nd Earl Rivers
• Lady Mary Darcy, married Roger Manwood, without issue
• Lady Penelope Darcy (d. 1661), a noted recusant, married first Sir George Trenchard, second Sir John Gage, 1st Baronet in 1611, by whom she had issue, and third Sir William Hervey in 1642
• Lady Susan Darcy, died unmarried
• Edward Darcy (b. 1592 - d. 21 Feb 1639)

He died on 25 February 1640 at Winchester House, near Broad Street, London and was succeeded in his titles, except for the original barony of Darcy of Chiche of 1581, by his grandson, John Savage, 2nd Earl Rivers.[4]

An inventory was made of the goods of Mary Countess-Dowager Rivers on 28 June 1644. The furnishings are listed in the rooms of an un-named house, not St Osyth's Priory.[5]