 Towards the end of 1642 Savile was placed in command at Leeds when Newcastle marched into the West Riding but on 23 January 1643 Fairfax captured the town after a fierce attack and Savile swam across the River Aire to escape.In May 1643 he was appointed governor of the town of Sheffield and of Sheffield Castle and then transferred to York.In October 1643 he was in command of the Royalist cavalry at the Battle of Winceby.