The title Baron Berkeley originated as a feudal title and was subsequently created twice in the Peerage of England by writ. It was first granted by writ to Thomas de Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley (1245–1321), 6th feudal Baron Berkeley, in 1295, but the title of that creation became extinct at the death of his great-great-grandson, the fifth Baron by writ, when no male heirs to the barony by writ remained, although the feudal barony continued. The next creation by writ was in 1421, for the last baron's nephew and heir James Berkeley. His son and successor William was created Viscount Berkeley in 1481, Earl of Nottingham in 1483, and Marquess of Berkeley in 1488. He had no surviving male issue, so the Marquessate and his other non-inherited titles became extinct on his death in 1491, whilst the barony passed de jure to his younger brother Maurice. However, William had disinherited Maurice because he considered him to have brought shame on the noble House of Berkeley by marrying beneath his status to Isabel, daughter of Philip Mead of Wraxhall, an Alderman and Mayor of Bristol. Instead, he bequeathed the castle, lands and lordships comprising the Barony of Berkeley to King Henry VII and his heirs male, failing which to descend to William's own rightful heirs. Thus on the death of King Edward VI in 1553, Henry VII's unmarried grandson, the Berkeley inheritance returned to the family. Therefore, Maurice and his descendants from 1492 to 1553 were de jure barons only, until the return of the title to the senior heir Henry (and indirectly to his mother Anne), becoming de facto 7th Baron in 1553.[2] Upon his death he was succeeded by his relative George Harding.
Arms of Berkeley: Gules, a chevron between ten crosses pattée six in chief and four in base argent. Motto: Virtute non Vi, "By virtue not by force"Three Berkeley tombs in St Augustine's Abbey, Bristol (now Bristol Cathedral), founded by Robert FitzHarding, 1st. feudal baron. South wall of the south aisle, looking eastward, in receding order: 4th. feudal baron (1243), 7th. feudal baron (1326), 6th. feudal baron (1321). A further chest tomb exists in the Lady Chapel with effigies of the 9th feudal baron (1368) and his mother Margaret Mortimer, Baroness Berkeley (d.1337). Many other Barons Berkeley are buried here.[1]
His son, the ninth Baron, was created in 1679 Earl of Berkeley and Viscount Dursley, which remained united to the barony until the death of the sixth Earl in 1882, when the earldom passed to a male heir and the barony passed to a female one, Louisa Milman. At Louisa's death, the barony went to Eva Mary Foley, upon whose death the barony fell into abeyance. The abeyance was terminated a few years later in favour of Mary Lalle Foley-Berkeley. Upon her death, the barony went to her nephew Anthony Gueterbock, who is the present holder. In 2000, he was created Baron Gueterbock for life in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The epithets of each baron were coined by John Smith of Nibley (d.1641), steward of the Berkeley estates, the biographer of the family and author of "Lives of the Berkeleys".
Prior to that time, Berkeley Castle had been held in fee-farm by Roger I "de Berkeley" (d.1093),[3] a Norman nobleman, possibly a son of Roger I of Tosny (died circa 1040),[4] who acquired the surname "de Berkeley". Roger I "de Berkeley" held extensive lands in-chief of the king in 1086, as recorded by Domesday Book, including Dursley and retired as a monk to St Peter's Abbey, Gloucester in about 1091.[3] His son Roger II (d. about 1131) and grandson Roger III (d. after 1177) also held the manor of Dursleyin-chief of the king. In 1152 Roger III was deprived of the farm of Berkeley during the civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Maud. He was later restored to Dursley, and founded the family of "Berkeley of Dursley",[5] but Berkeley Castle was granted by barony to Robert FitzHarding, a native Englishman and royal financier of Bristol, whose family also took the name "de Berkeley". To mollify the ill feelings of Roger of Dursley, Henry II encouraged each family to marry their respective male heirs to the eldest daughters of the other, which was successfully accomplished.[6] The epithets below were assigned by John Smith (d.1640) of Nibley, household steward of the Berkeleys and author of Lives of the Berkeleys:
Maurice FitzRobert FitzHarding, 2nd feudal baron of Berkeley (c.1120–1190/1) (otherwise "Maurice I de Berkeley") Maurice the Make-Peace, son, who in accordance with the wishes of King Henry II married Alice de Berkeley, eldest daughter of Roger III "de Berkeley" (d. after 1177) of Dursley.[7]
Barons Berkeley, by writ, First Creation (1295)edit
From 1295 the feudal barony continued concurrently with the barony by writ. The feudal barony continued until the Tenures Abolition Act 1660. The feudal barony of Berkeley is especially important in that the barony by writ was deemed, extraordinarily, to be in effect a feudal barony (or barony by tenure), dependent on the tenure of Berkeley Castle. Thus when William Berkeley, 1st Marquess of Berkeley, 2nd Baron Berkeley (1426–1492), William the Waste-All, alienated Berkeley Castle to the king, he effectively disinherited his younger brother from the barony by writ.[8]
The heir apparent is his son Thomas FitzHardinge Gueterbock (b. 1969)
Earls of Berkeley (after 1882, continuing the creation of 1679)edit
The Earldom of Berkeley, together with the Viscountcy of Dursley, was separated from the barony in 1882, but the succession was not fully established. In 1942 both titles became extinct or dormant.
George Lennox Rawdon Berkeley, 7th Earl of Berkeley (1827–1888), son of George Berkeley, who was a grandson of the 4th Earl
^On the Monumental Effigies of the Family of Berkeley. by M. E. Bagnall-Oakeley. Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, Vol.15, 1890-91 2012-04-26 at the Wayback Machine, pp.89–102
^Sir John Maclean, editor of Lives of the Berkeleys, refers to "the vexed question of the baronial tenure of Berkeley" and comments on this issue in: Smith, John, Lives of the Berkeleys, Vol.2, Preface, p.viii [1]
Sanders, I.J. English Baronies, Oxford, 1960, p. 13, Berkeley
Smyth, John (1567–1640). The Lives of the Berkeleys, Lords of the Honour, Castle and Manor of Berkeley from 1066 to 1618, ed. Maclean, Sir John, 3 vols., Gloucester, 1883–1885 (First published c.1628)[page needed]
Hesilrige, Arthur G. M. (1921). Debrett's Peerage and Titles of courtesy. London: London: Dean & son, limited. pp. 112, 113.
Vol 1, 1883
Vol 2, 1883
Vol.3, 1885
November 12, 2023
baron, berkeley, title, originated, feudal, title, subsequently, created, twice, peerage, england, writ, first, granted, writ, thomas, berkeley, 1245, 1321, feudal, 1295, title, that, creation, became, extinct, death, great, great, grandson, fifth, baron, writ. The title Baron Berkeley originated as a feudal title and was subsequently created twice in the Peerage of England by writ It was first granted by writ to Thomas de Berkeley 1st Baron Berkeley 1245 1321 6th feudal Baron Berkeley in 1295 but the title of that creation became extinct at the death of his great great grandson the fifth Baron by writ when no male heirs to the barony by writ remained although the feudal barony continued The next creation by writ was in 1421 for the last baron s nephew and heir James Berkeley His son and successor William was created Viscount Berkeley in 1481 Earl of Nottingham in 1483 and Marquess of Berkeley in 1488 He had no surviving male issue so the Marquessate and his other non inherited titles became extinct on his death in 1491 whilst the barony passed de jure to his younger brother Maurice However William had disinherited Maurice because he considered him to have brought shame on the noble House of Berkeley by marrying beneath his status to Isabel daughter of Philip Mead of Wraxhall an Alderman and Mayor of Bristol Instead he bequeathed the castle lands and lordships comprising the Barony of Berkeley to King Henry VII and his heirs male failing which to descend to William s own rightful heirs Thus on the death of King Edward VI in 1553 Henry VII s unmarried grandson the Berkeley inheritance returned to the family Therefore Maurice and his descendants from 1492 to 1553 were de jure barons only until the return of the title to the senior heir Henry and indirectly to his mother Anne becoming de facto 7th Baron in 1553 2 Upon his death he was succeeded by his relative George Harding Arms of Berkeley Gules a chevron between ten crosses pattee six in chief and four in base argent Motto Virtute non Vi By virtue not by force Three Berkeley tombs in St Augustine s Abbey Bristol now Bristol Cathedral founded by Robert FitzHarding 1st feudal baron South wall of the south aisle looking eastward in receding order 4th feudal baron 1243 7th feudal baron 1326 6th feudal baron 1321 A further chest tomb exists in the Lady Chapel with effigies of the 9th feudal baron 1368 and his mother Margaret Mortimer Baroness Berkeley d 1337 Many other Barons Berkeley are buried here 1 His son the ninth Baron was created in 1679 Earl of Berkeley and Viscount Dursley which remained united to the barony until the death of the sixth Earl in 1882 when the earldom passed to a male heir and the barony passed to a female one Louisa Milman At Louisa s death the barony went to Eva Mary Foley upon whose death the barony fell into abeyance The abeyance was terminated a few years later in favour of Mary Lalle Foley Berkeley Upon her death the barony went to her nephew Anthony Gueterbock who is the present holder In 2000 he was created Baron Gueterbock for life in the Peerage of the United Kingdom The epithets of each baron were coined by John Smith of Nibley d 1641 steward of the Berkeley estates the biographer of the family and author of Lives of the Berkeleys Contents 1 Feudal Barons of Berkeley 2 Barons Berkeley by writ First Creation 1295 3 Barons Berkeley by writ Second Creation 1421 4 Earls of Berkeley after 1882 continuing the creation of 1679 5 See also 6 References 7 SourcesFeudal Barons of Berkeley editMain article Berkeley family The feudal barony of Berkeley was created circa 1155 when King Henry II granted the royal castle of Berkeley to the Anglo Saxon royal financier Robert Fitzharding under the feudal land tenure per baroniam Prior to that time Berkeley Castle had been held in fee farm by Roger I de Berkeley d 1093 3 a Norman nobleman possibly a son of Roger I of Tosny died circa 1040 4 who acquired the surname de Berkeley Roger I de Berkeley held extensive lands in chief of the king in 1086 as recorded by Domesday Book including Dursley and retired as a monk to St Peter s Abbey Gloucester in about 1091 3 His son Roger II d about 1131 and grandson Roger III d after 1177 also held the manor of Dursley in chief of the king In 1152 Roger III was deprived of the farm of Berkeley during the civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Maud He was later restored to Dursley and founded the family of Berkeley of Dursley 5 but Berkeley Castle was granted by barony to Robert FitzHarding a native Englishman and royal financier of Bristol whose family also took the name de Berkeley To mollify the ill feelings of Roger of Dursley Henry II encouraged each family to marry their respective male heirs to the eldest daughters of the other which was successfully accomplished 6 The epithets below were assigned by John Smith d 1640 of Nibley household steward of the Berkeleys and author of Lives of the Berkeleys Robert FitzHarding 1st feudal baron of Berkeley d 1170 1 Robert the Devout 3 Maurice FitzRobert FitzHarding 2nd feudal baron of Berkeley c 1120 1190 1 otherwise Maurice I de Berkeley Maurice the Make Peace son who in accordance with the wishes of King Henry II married Alice de Berkeley eldest daughter of Roger III de Berkeley d after 1177 of Dursley 7 Robert de Berkeley 3rd feudal baron of Berkeley c 1165 1220 Robert the Rebellious son Thomas I de Berkeley 4th feudal baron of Berkeley c 1170 1243 Thomas the Observer or Temporiser brother Maurice II de Berkeley 5th feudal baron of Berkeley 1218 1281 Maurice the Resolute sonBarons Berkeley by writ First Creation 1295 editFrom 1295 the feudal barony continued concurrently with the barony by writ The feudal barony continued until the Tenures Abolition Act 1660 The feudal barony of Berkeley is especially important in that the barony by writ was deemed extraordinarily to be in effect a feudal barony or barony by tenure dependent on the tenure of Berkeley Castle Thus when William Berkeley 1st Marquess of Berkeley 2nd Baron Berkeley 1426 1492 William the Waste All alienated Berkeley Castle to the king he effectively disinherited his younger brother from the barony by writ 8 Thomas de Berkeley 1st Baron Berkeley 6th feudal baron of Berkeley 1245 1321 Thomas the Wise son 9 Maurice de Berkeley 2nd Baron Berkeley 7th feudal baron of Berkeley 1271 1326 Maurice the Magnanimous son 10 Thomas de Berkeley 3rd Baron Berkeley 8th feudal baron of Berkeley 1293 6 1361 Thomas the Rich son Maurice de Berkeley 4th Baron Berkeley 9th feudal baron of Berkeley 1320 1368 Maurice the Valiant son 11 Thomas de Berkeley 5th Baron Berkeley 10th feudal baron of Berkeley 1353 1417 Thomas the Magnificent 12 son died without male progeny Barons Berkeley by writ Second Creation 1421 editJames Berkeley 1st Baron Berkeley c 1394 1463 James the Just nephew and heir male 13 William Berkeley 1st Marquess of Berkeley 2nd Baron Berkeley 1426 1492 William the Waste All son 14 Maurice Berkeley de jure 3rd Baron Berkeley 1436 1506 Maurice the Lawyer brother 15 Maurice Berkeley de jure 4th Baron Berkeley 1467 1523 Maurice the Courtier son Died without legitimate progeny 16 Thomas Berkeley de jure 5th Baron Berkeley 1472 1533 Thomas the Sheepmaster brother 17 Thomas Berkeley de jure 6th Baron Berkeley 1505 1534 Thomas the Hopeful son 18 Henry Berkeley 7th Baron Berkeley 1534 1613 Henry the Harmless Posthumous Henry posthumous son 19 George Berkeley 8th Baron Berkeley 1601 1658 grandson No epithets coined after the death of John Smith d 1640 of Nibley George Berkeley 1st Earl of Berkeley 9th Baron Berkeley 1627 1698 son created Earl of Berkeley in 1679 Charles Berkeley 2nd Earl of Berkeley 10th Baron Berkeley 1649 1710 James Berkeley 3rd Earl of Berkeley 11th Baron Berkeley 1680 1736 Augustus Berkeley 4th Earl of Berkeley 12th Baron Berkeley 1716 1755 Frederick Augustus Berkeley 5th Earl of Berkeley 13th Baron Berkeley 1745 1810 Thomas Moreton Fitzhardinge Berkeley 6th Earl of Berkeley 14th Baron Berkeley 1796 1882 Louisa Mary Milman 15th Baroness Berkeley by birth Berkeley 1840 1899 Eva Mary Foley 16th Baroness Berkeley by birth Milman 1875 1964 abeyant 1964 Mary Lalle Foley Berkeley 17th Baroness Berkeley 1905 1992 abeyance terminated 1967 Anthony Fitzhardinge Gueterbock 18th Baron Berkeley b 1939 her nephewThe heir apparent is his son Thomas FitzHardinge Gueterbock b 1969 Earls of Berkeley after 1882 continuing the creation of 1679 editThe Earldom of Berkeley together with the Viscountcy of Dursley was separated from the barony in 1882 but the succession was not fully established In 1942 both titles became extinct or dormant George Lennox Rawdon Berkeley 7th Earl of Berkeley 1827 1888 son of George Berkeley who was a grandson of the 4th Earl Randal Thomas Mowbray Berkeley 8th Earl of Berkeley 1865 1942 dormant 1942 See also editBaron Berkeley of Rathdowne subsidiary to the viscountcy Fitzhardinge both in the Peerage of Ireland 1663 1712 Baron Berkeley of Stratton the last of whom left his estate to the senior line Michael Berkeley Baron Berkeley of Knighton descendant of the 7th Earl of Berkeley References edit On the Monumental Effigies of the Family of Berkeley by M E Bagnall Oakeley Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society Vol 15 1890 91 Archived 2012 04 26 at the Wayback Machine pp 89 102 Debrett s Peerage 1968 p 139 Berkeley Baroness Predecessors a b c Cokayne The Complete Peerage new edition II p 124 Platts Beryl Scottish Hazard Investigation into the origins of the Scottish branch of the Berkeley family Sanders English Baronies pp 114 5 Probable Baronies Dursley Cokayne The Complete Peerage new edition vol 2 p 124 5 Sanders I J English Baronies Oxford 1960 p 13 Cokayne The Complete Peerage new edition II p 125 6 Sir John Maclean editor of Lives of the Berkeleys refers to the vexed question of the baronial tenure of Berkeley and comments on this issue in Smith John Lives of the Berkeleys Vol 2 Preface p viii 1 Cokayne The Complete Peerage new edition II p 127 8 Cokayne The Complete Peerage new edition II p 128 9 Cokayne The Complete Peerage new edition II p 130 For biography of Thomas the Magnificent see Smith Lives of the Berkeleys Vol II pp 447 et seq 2 Cokayne The Complete Peerage new edition II p 132 Cokayne The Complete Peerage new edition II p 133 Cokayne The Complete Peerage new edition II p 135 Cokayne The Complete Peerage new edition II p 135 Cokayne The Complete Peerage new edition II p 136 Cokayne The Complete Peerage new edition II p 137 Cokayne The Complete Peerage new edition II p 138Sources editGeorge Edward Cokayne The Complete Peerage Volume 2 Bass to Canning ed Gibbs Vicary London 1912 pp 118 149 Berkeley Sanders I J English Baronies Oxford 1960 p 13 Berkeley Smyth John 1567 1640 The Lives of the Berkeleys Lords of the Honour Castle and Manor of Berkeley from 1066 to 1618 ed Maclean Sir John 3 vols Gloucester 1883 1885 First published c 1628 page needed Hesilrige Arthur G M 1921 Debrett s Peerage and Titles of courtesy London London Dean amp son limited pp 112 113 Vol 1 1883 Vol 2 1883 Vol 3 1885 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Baron Berkeley amp oldid 1157399736, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
