in 1660, swale was elected member of parliament for aldborough in the convention parliament. he was created baronet of swale hall in the county of york on 21 june 1660. he was re-elected mp for aldborough in 1661 for the cavalier parliament. he was appointed high sheriff of yorkshire in 1670. in june 1678 he was expelled from the house of commons for recusancy (refusing to attend church of england services).